Rwanda Tourism Press Release 05.01.2010

PRESS RELEASE

Tourism in Rwanda not threatened by DRC Volcanic Eruption

The Rwanda Development Board-Tourism and Conservation (RDB-T&C) office would like to inform the general public and all those with intention of visiting that the Rwanda is open for tourism despite the recent reports from Congo Wildlife officials on Nyamuragira volcano eruption in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Fidele Ruzigandekwe, the Director of Conservation at RDB said that the eruption has not affected Tourism on the Rwandan side and that Tourism activities are going on as usual without any interruptions whatsoever. He also revealed that the board is in close cooperation with other stakeholders including Observatoire volcanologique de Goma (OVG), Military and United Nations Organization Mission in DR Congo (MONUC) to assess the risk and to take appropriate actions as the lava continues to flow.

On whether there is a possibility for volcanic eruptions in Rwanda, Fidel Ruzigandekwe confirmed that Rwanda’s five chains of volcanoes are inactive. He also revealed that the lava is flowing further away towards Northern Kivu in DRC from Nyamuragira which is located about forty kilometers north-west of Goma.

The eruption started in the early hours of Saturday 2 January 2010.

In case of any potential risk, the Rwanda Development Board will be the first to advise accordingly.