Sub Saharan Africa

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Natural disasters

Volcanoes

The Nyiragongo and Nyamulagira volcanoes in the north east of the country (near Goma) have been showing signs of renewed volcanic activity.  As of the end of March 2009, vulcanologists predict that an eruption of Nyamulagira was imminent.  Nyiragongo (20km from Goma) is also showing signs of increased activity.  UN agencies and local NGOs are preparing themselves for this possible eventuality.  If you are in the area (against our travel advice) you should follow local advice.

Earthquakes

On 3 February 2008 an earthquake struck Eastern DRC with its epicentre 20kilometres north of Bukavu. It measured 6.1 on the Richter scale. The earthquake and its aftershocks could be felt in neighbouring Rwanda and Burundi. Five people were reported dead in DRC with over 200 casualties. A further tremor in the same area, measuring approximately 5.0 on the Richter scale, was reported on 9 June.

On 19 February 2007 an earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale was felt in parts of eastern DRC (mainly north Kivu and southern Ituri).