Aid to Congo hits stumbling block

More than 50 people are feared dead following an explosion at a petrol station in Goma Keystone

The Swiss government's Development Agency is eager to have transport links repaired to ensure aid reaches volcano victims in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

There are grave concerns that foreign aid will be slow to reach those affected by last Thursday’s devastating volcano in the Goma region. Much of Goma airport’s runway was engulfed by lava and roads in and out of the area have been cut off.

Road and air links disrupted

“We understand that a number of logistical facilities have been disrupted,” said Joachim Ahrens, a spokesman from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. However, he told swissinfo he is optimistic that Swiss relief donations will reach the needy.

Walter Luder, a Swiss humanitarian coordinator who is in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, toured the devastated region and described the scene in Goma as “a tragedy.”

“The main road to and from Goma is closed so it’s very important to free the roads in order to allow food supplies to come in,” Luder told swissinfo.

“It’s up to our logisticians on the ground now and our colleagues in the bureau to assess what can be restored in what time. Obviously there’s always the possibility to address the most urgent needs using helicopters, but it’s crucial that the Goma airport is operational soon,” Ahrens told swissinfo.

Goma “a total emergency”

At least 45 people died following last Thursday’s devastating eruption of Mount Nyiragongo, which also sent much of Goma city’s population fleeing for their lives. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation has called the entire region a “total emergency.”

“Around 250,000 people have been displaced whether on the Rwandan side or on the Congo side,” said Walter Luder, from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. “Some 100,000 people have remained in Goma but they have absolutely nothing. And now we have at least 5-10,000 people coming back from Rwanda to Goma, and they need everything.

Swiss aid

Disaster experts and financial aid are being sent by the Swiss government to Congo as part of the international effort to help those affected by the volcano “tragedy”.

An initial amount of SFr200,000 has been allocated to the Swiss development agency’s partner organisations (non-governmental organisations) in Goma.

“In addition to that, we sent one expert in disaster assessment to participate in the United Nations Disaster Assessment Coordination Team,” Ahrens commented.

A further team of rescue workers is due to head to the stricken region early this week.

Petrol station explodes

Meanwhile, at least 50 people are feared dead after a petrol station exploded in Goma. Hot lava reportedly set off a series of explosions killing those who had gone to the station to siphon fuel from its tanks.

The explosion appeared to be little more than a sideshow in a devastated city where people are scavenging for food and water.

by Samantha Tonkin and Ramsey Zarifeh