Dear Supporter,

I am writing to you about the unfolding and dire humanitarian situation following the recent volcanic eruption near Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) resulting in hundreds of thousands of people being displaced.

Mt Nyiragongo erupted last week resulting in a devastating lava flow that has destroyed many villages and communities living near the volcano.

To date more than 400,000 people have been forced to leave their homes and thousands more have sought safety across the border in Rwanda. The city of Goma, the capital of North Kivu, has largely been evacuated. Many people have escaped on foot, taking with them the few belongings they can carry. They have been forced to shelter in already under-resourced villages and towns with no clean drinking water, food or adequate shelter. 
 
The danger is far from over with seismic tremors continuing and radar images showing lava flowing under the streets of Goma, the capital of North Kivu.
 
UNHCR has been active in DRC for decades, and is on the ground right now with our teams providing emergency shelter, clean water, latrines, hot meals, blankets and other relief items to vulnerable families currently forced to live out in the open.
 
The eruption of Mt Nyiragongo is a crisis that is happening against a backdrop of enormous needs. Years of conflict and violence have resulted in more than 2 million internally displaced people and widespread poverty and food insecurity. 
 
Having visited Goma and seen the destruction from the 2002 eruption, I have seen firsthand the challenges that people face in the area every day to survive. I have also seen the impact of UNHCR’s humanitarian assistance and the difference we can make through Australia for UNHCR in supporting them.