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CNN Sunday Morning

Volcano Eruption Causes Humanitarian Crisis in Congo

Aired January 20, 2002 - 10:12   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A devastating volcano in the African nation of Congo is causing a humanitarian crisis. Hundreds of thousands of people from the city of Goma are now homeless. The Congolese government is planning to send officials and $1.5 million in aid to the area.

ITN's (sic) Joyce Ohija (ph) has the latest for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOYCE OHIJA, ITV REPORTER (voice-over): Cold lava fills the streets of Goma where the city's buildings and homes once stood. Much of the area destroyed, but people could be seen trying to rescue books and documents from one damaged office building.

Thousands have reportedly returned to their homes, but up to 500,000 people have fled with as much as they can carry, looking for shelter away from the volcano.

ITV's Africa correspondent Tim Hewitt (ph) described the scene.

TIM HEWITT, ITV REPORTER: It's hard to imagine the kind of devastation that has been wreaked upon the main street of the city of Goma. A river of lava has roared down that street, and quite literally come to a full stop right in the middle of the street. It's about two or three meters deep. It's left a trail of devastation in its wake.

OHIJA: One of the lava flows poured into a nearby lake, producing a dangerously large cloud of sulfuric steam. Two more explosions could be heard from the volcano.

Since Mount Nyriacongo erupted on Thursday, at least 40 people have died in the destruction. Thirty tons of water purification and sanitation equipment packed up in Kent is scheduled to arrive in the region.

Hundreds of thousands have fled to neighboring Rwanda so far. Aid agencies are worried about the potential for a cholera outbreak because of a shortage of drinkable water. As Oxfam begins setting up at least 20 camps, the threat of further eruptions in the area remains.

Joyce Ohija, ITV news. (END VIDEOTAPE)

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