Goma

Goma located at 1°41′S 29°14′E is a large city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Located in the Western Rift of the Great Rift Valley, Goma neighbors Nyiragongo Volcano directly to its north, and hugs the coast of Lake Kivu to its south. The city lies next to the Virunga National Park and has a small airport. It was known for its nightlife.

Goma's proximity to Lake Kivu threatens it with natural genocide due to limnic eruption.

Goma was one of the locations Hutu Rwandese fled to during the genocide of 1994 (the Rwandan provisional government being based in neighbouring Gisenyi). From July 13-14, 1994, 10,000-12,000 refugees per hour cross the border into Goma. The massive influx created a severe humanitarian crisis, as there is an acute lack of shelter, food and water. Shortly after the arrival of nearly one million refugees, a deadly cholera outbreak claimed thousands of lives. In 1997 and 1998, government forces from Rwanda stormed the camps at Goma searching for Hutu genocidaires, killing thousands more.

In 2002, Nyiragongo erupted, sending a stream of lava through the center of the city. The lava destroyed some the city's buildings and paved over part of the airport's runway.

In 2005, volcanic activity again threatens the city.