AFRICA/DR CONGO - Volcanoes erupting, wars, lack of infrastructure, extreme poverty and schooling for a few

Goma (Agenzia Fides) - The Democratic Republic of Congo would have the potential to be a rich country, not just for exotic and natural landscapes, but also for the presence of minerals such as gold, diamonds, iron, coltan and natural gas. The same oil fields, if properly exploited, could bring important resources to invest in the Country. Unfortunately, the proliferation of armed groups and often the economic interests of other Countries, which agree that the situation remains so, make any kind of change difficult. The violence of rebel groups, particularly in the eastern part of the territory, leave destruction everywhere, broken families, women raped, children abducted to be recruited by criminal gangs. In addition, health care is possible only in major cities. School education is not remotely contemplated. Extreme poverty is widespread with the exception of a very small group. Volcanoes in full activity and that are close to Goma make the already precarious situation even worse. One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Nyiragongo has already erupted over 50 times in the last 150 years, causing widespread damage and deaths, flooding the city and 14 other surrounding villages. A short distance from Nyiragongo is Nyamuragira volcano, the most active in all of Africa. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 08/04/2015)