Hundreds of children in and around Goma were separated from their families during the Nyiragongo volcanic eruption on Saturday May 22.
The provincial division of social affairs of North Kivu has indicated that so far, there are only 300 children who have been handed over to their parents by the authorities
The provincial social affairs division of North Kivu coordinates actions in favor of children with all partners, including MONUSCO and UNICEF.
All these children got lost in the stampede last Saturday during the volcanic eruption, according to the same source.
They were all looking for shelter while their parents were away from the house. These children came from several districts of Goma and its surroundings.
The head of the social affairs division in North Kivu, Domitila Rusimbuka, is appealing to the entire population of the region and to all those looking for their lost children to report to the authorities; or the Red Cross, the Divas or those with lost children should take them to the Unity stadium in Goma.
A good number of Congolese children crossed in Rwanda, some without their parents, Rusimbuka further noted that the children who crossed into Rwanda will be picked up by the ICRC:
“These children are registered from Miniva, Shasha, Sake, Bweremana and Goma; without forgetting that there are those who have crossed the border. The ICRC will take care of them together with the ICRC / Kigali. “The social affairs head said
“Some children have experienced accidents while wandering. Several of these children were injured and three died of gas suffocation and a girl was burnt by the lava.” She added.
The head of the provincial social affairs division reports that around 250 children are staying with families temporarily, while waiting to be reunited with their parents. Among them are four children who are less than a year old and the youngest of all is only three months old.
In the meantime, several distraught parents are looking for their children lost since last Saturday.
