Nyiragongo Eruption Disrupts Food Supply from Goma to Kinshasa

The volcanic eruption of Mount Nyiragongo in North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo is negatively affecting the supply of some food products in the capital of Kinshasa. The May 22, 2021, volcanic eruption resulted in the death of 32 people and displacement of over 20,000.

The eruption was followed by repeated tremors, which compelled the government to relocate people from Goma City to Sake about 25 kilometers North-west of Goma, Kanyabayonga in Lubero territory about 107.7 Kilometers north of Goma for safety.

The eruption has now greatly affected business that includes the supply of food products to the Capital, according to food dealers. Food dealers say that Kinshasa has started experiencing a stock out of foodstuffs like meat, cheese, tilapia, potatoes and sausages among others that are mainly originate from Goma.

An official at Aliment de la Rdc” house, a hotel along Kintambo Street in Kinshasa told our reporter on condition of anonymity that food products from Goma are becoming scarce due to lack of supplies and closure of Goma airport.

He says that the closure of the airport put air carriers and traders in a difficult position to transport food. A worker at “Yesu ni Jibu” food Supply Company on Bandalungwa Street shared the same experience.

Félix Okaso, the base manager of Serv’Air, a French air catering company in DR Congo says that the poor roads is the main cause of the reduced supply of food products from Goma to Kinshasa.

“The big problem, the province is almost landlocked. We use Boeings to land in Bukavu, South Kivu Province. The only track that could be exploited is that of Kisangani. The Goma-Kisangani road is impassable, Kindu-Goma is also impassable, we are blocked,” says Okaso.

Chantal Mawazo, the Director-General of Alimentations du Kivu (Food supplies of Kivu ) and promoter of the Foundation Amour pour Mon Pays et pour le Prochain (Love for My Country and for Neighbor), a non-government organization in DR Congo, says that the economic consequences of the volcanic eruptions are incalculable.

Mawazo says that the volcanic eruption caused the shortage of stock between economic operators and customers based in Kinshasa in relation to certain products. She calls on the government and the Industry Promotion Fund (FPI) to support Congolese entrepreneurs mainly affected by this natural disaster.

The DRC Prime Minister, Sama Lukonde says that food dealers are impatiently awaiting the resumption of activities in Goma and the reopening of the airport. URN