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CNN Live Sunday

Goma's Residents Return Home

Aired January 20, 2002 - 18:13   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.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: In the Democratic Republic of Congo, hot lava is still steaming in the streets of Goma. Thursday's volcanic eruption ruined the city, and more than 400,000 frightened residents fled their homes. Despite the danger, many are returning to Goma. CNN's Catherine Bond explains why.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CATHERINE BOND, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A stampede of people heading home, in secondhand shoes or rubber sandals over a river of lava that's still hot. People who only a few days ago had to flee a massive volcanic eruption near the Congolese city of Goma, now determined to go back, carrying trunks, suitcases, bundles, mattresses, mats, roofing materials and their children.

(on camera): This constant stream of people coming back into Goma illustrates what they've been repeating to us, that whatever the risks here, they'd rather take them than become refugees.

(voice-over): When the volcano erupted, tens and thousands of Congolese crossed into Rwanda, where they tell us local people didn't help them.

"We asked them for just one biscuit for the children to eat -- nothing," says Bahati (ph). "Just one cup of water for the children -- nothing. They wanted us to die. When we saw the sky clearing, we said we might as well go and die at home."

From morning onward, thousands of families made their way on foot along the main avenue into Goma from the border with Rwanda.

"Over there, we suffered a lot," says Kronflas (ph). "There's no water. Food prices have rocketed, and they won't even accept our money."

They've come back to a city split in two, largely without power and without water as well, carrying it instead in plastic cans from nearby Lake Kivu.

The Congolese rebel authority in charge of this city didn't warn the residents to leave before the volcano erupted. Quite the opposite.

"They said there's no danger. You could stay, remain calm," Pierre tells us.

And have the authorities done anything since? "Up to now, no," he says. "We're still waiting."

Days after the disaster, its victims still waiting for local outside help to be brought here.

"If there's going to be any humanitarian aid," Joel (ph) tells us, "let it come quickly, otherwise we're going to perish."

There is a little fruit for sale on the streets. But most people don't have much money.

Down there, Eric (ph) tells us his house and the college where he studied. "I'm left with what you see," he says.

The only person who might profit from this, a carpenter. The number of Goma's residents who lost their houses hasn't yet been counted, but the stretch of lava mixed with bricks and metal roofing and still smoking from the heat is vast.

Catherine Bond, CNN, Goma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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