Congolese On our Mind:

Again, Mt. Nyiragongo sent

shock waves across Central African Region, particularly in the city of Goma in Democratic Republic of Congo as the mountain erupted with lava flows over Goma, just as it happened in 2002.

Lava from eruption created massive cloud over the eastern part of Goma, a city of over two million people. As Goma sky turned red and lava river cover a substantial part of the city-creating health and safety concerns-lives and daily activities of hundreds of thousands have been affected, even beyond Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mt. Nyiragongo is no doubt an active stratovolcano or composite volcano, conically shaped with many layers or strata of hardened lava and tephra. An African icon with 11,385 ft. or 3,470 meters above sea level. Located within Virunga National Park, Albertine Rift, east of Democratic Republic of Congo, the park was created in 1925 as a protected area, which covers part of Uganda, DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania in Rwenzori Mountains.

Eruptions from Mt. Nyiragongo are not new, at least, Goma older generation remember the January 1977 eruption, which left 600 people dead; again in January 2002, causing another 250 deaths, and just this past Saturday, with at least eleven people reported dead, 8,000 crossed into Rwanda, while hundreds of thousands remain stranded in city under lava.

Following the incident, six-hundred homes have been destroyed, five schools flattened, a lot of public utilities are gone. And for now, exact costs of property destroyed are not known, but will be in billions of dollars, when the lava dusts settle.

Who will lift DRC up? Who will help DRC? Who will assist DRC at this moment of need? As we remember DRC's share in the crises endemic in the region.

This is the time for African nations to remember their own, provide assistance from humanitarian needs to money in helping DRC rebounds. Rwanda has already started as it opens door for the fleeing Congolese. We thank other nations around Lake Kivu corridor, we also thank individuals in these lands, giving helping hands to the Congolese.

Democratic Republic of Congo needs more help, especially from international community, as some parts of Goma may not be healthy for habitation now. Many people may be resettled to a more secure areas, government will certainly require money to execute the project.

Africans call on those foreign nations, especially, nations that have benefited from Congolese wealth over the years to remember Congo in this time of need.

Also, those big corporations that have shared from Congolese mineral resources, by which they continue to make their billions should come to the aid of Congo.

It is now that Congo needs your help, do not wait until the situation is out of control; do not wait until the situation turns to political-economics by international social and financial institutions. All men and women of goodwill should rise to help CONGO.

CONGO NEEDS YOUR HELP NOW, NOT TOMORROW.