• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

WE FIGHT FOR EVERY CHILD

  • Latest news
  • Contact us
  • My new icon
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Chance for Childhood HomepageChance for Childhood

We fight for every child

  • About us
    • Our Team
      • Our Staff
      • Our Trustees
      • Our Patrons And Ambassadors
      • Technical Advisors
    • Our Finances
    • Our History
    • Current Jobs
  • Our Work
    • Our Impact
    • East Africa
    • West Africa
    • #OverExposed
  • Get Involved
    • Corporate Partners
    • Funding Partners & Grant Makers
    • London Marathon
    • Give In Your Will
      • Donate In Memory
  • Donate
LATEST NEWS

Volcanic eruption threatens the lives of children in DR Congo

25 May 2021

Mount Nyiragongo, one of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes erupted on Saturday, turning the night sky burning red and sending lava flows towards the city of Goma in North Kivu, where we work with our partner Children’s Voice. Thousands of families were forced to flee for safety.

The eruption has left a trail of destruction half a mile wide. Over 500 houses have been buried by lava. 30 people have died and over 170 children are now feared missing.

Amongst the smoke, ash and chaos on Saturday evening, people began fleeing to the border with Rwanda. However, on Sunday morning there were already reports of people trying to return to Goma, despite local authorities advising against it. What are they returning to? What has happened to their home?

For years, children in the DRC have grown up around war and violence. 40% of children are out of school. In the last few years, the region was the epicentre of the world’s second-largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded. And in the last year, Covid-19 has cut families’ income by over half to just £17 a month. Recently, we’ve heard girls as young as 13 are turning to sex work just to afford food. They face the worst violence and abuse, but many feel it is their only way to earn money and survive the devastation the pandemic has caused.

Continuous crises are devastating lives and destroying children’s futures. But your support gives hope to families. Since 2015, your support has enabled over 1,000 marginalised children to access quality primary education. And through the last year, it’s provided emergency support for families struggling through Covid-19.

At this stage, we believe that the Kibati centre, the school we support in Northern Kivu, is still standing. However, the surrounding roads have been destroyed by lava. For many children this would have been the one place they felt safe, the volcano has taken that from them.

Saturday’s eruption has flattened 500 homes and left hundreds of children homeless

During an already very difficult time, the eruption has taken lives, made families homeless and destroyed essential infrastructure. Three health centres and a primary school were destroyed by flowing lava. But we won’t give up or lose hope. By working together with you and our local partner, Children’s Voice, we can once again give children the childhood and future they deserve.

The danger is not over. Mount Nyiragongo is still a threat. Seismic vibrations from the volcano are still being felt across the border in Rwanda. Officials are concerned that more eruptions could take place in the following days. When it last erupted in 2002, 245 people died with thousands left homeless.

Right now, all donations are DOUBLED by our generous partners through our Big Chance campaign. After this emergency, your doubled donation is more vital than ever. Continuous crises are devastating children’s lives in DRC. We urgently need your support. Together we can rebuild and give children the childhood and future they deserve.

Double your donation

Image credit: “Nyiragongo volcano” by Nina R, used under CC BY Chance for Childhood, “Goma & volcano Nyiragongo in background – North Kivu” by MONUSCO, used under CC BY Chance for Childhood/ Modified from original

Share on TwitterShare on FacebookShare on LinkedInShare on Email
We fight for every child Donate now

Footer

Get our emails

Stay connected

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Get in touch

01483 230 250


Safeguarding

If you have concerns about a Safeguarding or Child Protection issue, or would like to speak to us about a concern please contact:

Useful links

Our promise to you

Global safeguarding policy

Terms & conditions

Privacy and cookies policy

Complaints policy

Jobs

Gift Shop

Fundraising Regulator logo

Registered address: 3 Fairfields, 26 Green Lane, Cobham, KT11 2NN.
Correspondence address: Chance for Childhood, PO Box 3030, Romford, RM7 1US.
Charity registered in England & Wales no. 1013587. © 2021 Chance for Childhood

We use cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device. Privacy & Cookies policy ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT