Following strong increase in volcanic activity in Goma areas, Martin Kobler,

Head of MONUSCO offers support to provincial authorities

Kinshasa, 13 April 2014: “MONUSCO has offered assistance to the North Kivu authorities and will work closely with North Kivu officials in this new challenge. Assistance will be provided in a timely manner, if required”, said Martin Kobler head of MONUSCO.

"I have instructed our Goma office to be ready to assist the North Kivu authorities and to carry out any mission needed to assist the region", added M. Kobler.

Provincial authorities confirmed at midday today that a "strong activity was noticed recently at the Nyamulagira Volcano". A MONUSCO helicopter transported experts in seismic activity to the volcano this afternoon. Intense smoke was seen rising from the crater; no lava flow was observed but the situation will continue to be carefully monitored by the experts.

Note to the Editors.

· The 2002 eruption destroy buildings and left thousands of people homeless in and around Goma.

· Lava and debris from the most recent eruptions in the area -- in 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2011 -- did not reach populated areas, although volcanic ash can pollute the atmosphere over a wide area.