With little warning, Mount Nyiragongo erupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo on the weekend and torrents of lava spilled into villages. Drones show the chaos of the African eruption. 

At least 32 people died and more than 500 houses were flattened by the cascading lava. More than a dozen people died in car accidents while trying to escape the chaos. Others died days later from inhaling toxic gas while walking across the cooling lava, according to Celestin Kasereka Mahinda, the scientific director of the Volcanic Observatory of Goma. 

Despite the danger, the drone video clearly shows people continuing to explore the field. The lava stopped short of the city’s built-up area, but aftershocks still rattle Goma.

Scientists at the volcano observatory couldn’t adequately warn the public of the eruption because of a funding cut, Mahinda told the Associated Press.

“The observatory no longer has the support of the central government or of external donors, which explains why the volcanic eruption was such a surprise,” he says. A partnership between the government and the World Bank ended in October 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The observatory no longer even had an internet connection, according to Mahinda.

Drones show the chaos of the African eruption

When the volcano last exploded in 2002, 250 people died and thousands lost their homes. This time residents quickly fled toward the Rwandan border and many families were separated. Desperate parents continue the search for their children, and at least 100 children are still missing.

“We managed to find about 530 children who were separated from their families and fortunately we have been able to facilitate reunification of 360 children back with their parents,” the Unicef chief field officer in Goma, Jean Metenier, told the BBC.

Drones show how very different volcanic eruptions can be. The spectacular eruptions of lava at the Geldingadalir, Iceland, volcano look nothing like the Congolese rubble. And the Soufriere volcano that covered Caribbean islands in ash looks like a different kind of disaster entirely. Drone DJ

The British and Kenyan Governments have launched an urban economic plan in North Eastern region which is aimed at providing jobs and livelihood opportunities for young people vulnerable to violent extremism.

The Sustainable Urban Economic (SUED) Programme was launched Tuesday during a visit to Mandera by UK’s High Commissioner Jane Mariott.

During the visit, Mariott noted that the new program is part of the UK’s joint North East Taskforce, working with the Government of Kenya to tackle the drivers of instability in the region that borders Somalia.

High unemployment rates among young people have been cited by the United Nations among the key drivers pushing them to join militant groups.

“Through our North East Taskforce, we are supporting long-term stability and development, tackling the drivers of instability as well as the symptoms,” she said.

She was accompanied by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamala and Mandera Governor Ali Roba.

Being her third visit to the region, Mariott reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to the long-term stability and development of the Somalia neighboring counties.

“I’ve seen today, how economic development is key to building security and stability in Mandera County and the North East region. I’ve also been able to meet with teachers and health workers who work tirelessly on Kenya-UK projects to educate future generations and provide quality care,” she said. 

As part of her visit, Marriott toured several UK-supported projects in the town, including the Mandera County Hospital and Mandera Secondary School.

On his part, Wamalwa said he was “privileged to launch the Programme which we will be undertaken in collaboration with the UK government.” Capital News

H.E. Ambassador Teferi Melesse Desta

"I look forward to building on the good work of my predecessors, enhancing our bilateral relations with the UK and enriching the social and cultural ties between our two peoples...

I hope our relations will flourish in the coming months and years."