| Popis: |
During a volcanic eruption generating lava flows, an effective risk reduction action is evacuation. However, if the eruption is not preceded by precursors, such as the 2021 Nyiragongo eruption, the population living near the volcano is confronted with the need to rapidly decide by themselves whether to evacuate or not; and if so, where and how. On the evening of 22 May, a red glow on the south flank of Nyiragongo alerted the population of Goma (East DRC) that an eruption had started. There were no clear instructions from the authorities. On that night, part of the population evacuated spontaneously, and returned the following day as the lava had stopped flowing. In the following week, intense seismic shocks affecting the city led the Governor to order on May 26 an evacuation of the eastern neighbourhoods. Using a qualitative survey associated with a quantitative one among 1.137 adults residing in both mandatory and non-mandatory evacuation zones, this study analyses individual evacuation decision making during both volcano-seismic phases of the 2021 Nyiragongo eruption. The results of the statistical analyses indicate that the population in the north-eastern neighbourhoods evacuated spontaneously on the night of the eruption without prior knowledge of their destination. Their preferred destination was relatives’ homes for resources, either outside the city or in another neighbourhood. The decision to evacuate was not influenced by an individual risk assessment, but by the family safety. Following the May 26 evacuation order, the majority of households evacuated while maintaining at least one person to house sit. Fear of earthquakes was the main reason for evacuation but those who did not evacuate considered the risk to be lower, compared to the 2002 experience. The results of this study will improve the Goma contingency and evacuation plans in the event of a new volcanic eruption. |
