Yole Farm has served as a space of refugee for displaced persons in Goma from the Nyiragongo volcanic eruptions in 2021 to the capture of the city in January 2025.
In early January, before the city was captured, women and children from the Bulengo displacement camp sought refuge at Yole Farm from the bombs being dropped on their camp. The Yole staff transported sixty-four families to the farm and set them up in tents that were rapidly mounted. The families were later joined by members of the Mbuti community (Pygmies) whom Yole Africa and the Basandja Coalition were sheltering at the Yole office in the heart of Goma.
The situation was dire and remain uncertain and precarious. Prior to the capture of the city, the electricity was cut, the city was in the dark. Water and food were scarce and running out. Phone and Internet connection were shut down. People in the displacement camps on the outskirts of the city were being bombed and had to flee into the city for safety. Those with means evacuated the city via Lake Kivu, their only outlet.
Yole Farm in collaboration with the Basandja Coalition moved into action by providing shelter, food, water, sanitation and other emergency support for the families at Yole Farm, several displacement camps and other parts of the city.
The new administrators of the city are dismantling the displacement camps and sending people back to their villages with no support for their return. The overwhelming majority of camp dwellers are returning to their villages, however, not everyone is able to return due to a multitude of material and social factors. Yole Africa and the Basandja Coalition are mobilizing resources to support those who cannot return through building additional lodging at Yole Farm and two other key locations so that the displaced families can have safe, secure spaces to live.
The situation remains fluid and the needs are enormous. However, with continued support, first and foremost from members of the Basandja Coalition and allies abroad, over 150 families (each family has and average of 8 members) and members of the Mbuti community have a place of refuge.
As of the week of February 17th, the new occupants of the city of Goma has ordered the displaced persons to return to their villages. This has created an additional crisis because not everyone can safely return to their villages. Therefore, many are seeking refuge in Goma.
Yole Africa and the Basandja Coalition have kicked into gear to assist the mostly mamas and their children to find additional safe and secure locations beyond Yole Farm which is overstretched. The staff has identified two additional locations and are working feverishly to relocate the women and children and provide them with food, water, shelter and sanitation.
We encourage you to continue to support the relief efforts as the residents of Goma and the surrounding displacement camps deal with an uncertain future in the midst of a deadly conflict.
Mail Contributions to:
Friends of the Congo
1629 K Street, NW Ste 300
Washington, DC 20006
Memo: Yole Farm