SAVE VIRUNGA
Stop Oil Exploration in Africa's Oldest National Park
This is the time to take the decisive step, to move from using and misusing nature to contemplating it. We have lost the contemplative dimension; we have to get it back at this time. Excerpt from “Pope Francis says pandemic can be a ‘place of conversion’” by Austen Ivereigh I was curious to know if the Pope… Read More
“It is with great sadness that Virunga National Park confirms that today, 24 April 2020, there has been a significant attack by armed groups near Rumangabo …” Last Friday, 4 civilians & 13 colleagues and friends were slaughtered. Khadafi, Lumumba, Djamali, Junior, Jean-Louis, Joseph, Ruphin, Jeannot, Augustin, Jacques, Héritier, Moise and Justin. They were in their… Read More
Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse nature reserve is also its most dangerous. In 2018 alone, militia in Virunga National Park in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo killed twelve rangers during their work. Because of the violence, the park was closed to visitors since June 2018. Now he opens his doors again. Does the resource-rich Virunga still have… Read More
“Where environment and natural resource factors generate conflict, post-conflict peacebuilding efforts must tackle them directly in order to achieve durable peace. At the same time, the recognition that environmental and natural resources can contribute to violent conflict only underscores their potential significance as a pathway for cooperation and confidence-building in war-torn societies.” United Nations Environment Program… Read More
The huge national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the most dangerous conservation projects in the world. But thanks to the efforts of a committed force of rangers, populations of endangered species are recovering and locals say the park offers hope for the whole region. Jason Burke in Virunga national park,… Read More
Virunga National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, on the border of Uganda and Rwanda. Virunga is Africa’s oldest national park and is also the continent’s most biologically diverse protected area. The park’s 7800 square kilometers (3000 square miles) includes forests, savannas, lava plains, swamps, erosion valleys,… Read More
#WORLDRANGERDAY2017 – PARK RANGERS UNDER ATTACK IN THE DRC 10 defenders killed in the DRC in 2016 – the highest number in Africa 9 of those killed were park rangers The DRC government is threatening those campaigning against abuses in the natural resource sector Natural predators are the least of Rodrigue Katembo’s worries… Read More
Stop oil exploration and exploitation activities in the Greater Virunga and, end conflicts and bloodshed in the Albert basin communities OPEN LETTER BY ENVIRONMENTAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS FROM THE GREATER VIRUNGA TO PRESIDENT JOSEPH KABILA OF DRC AND PRESIDENT YOWERI MUSEVENI OF UGANDA. Your Excellences, By this letter, we, environmental and Human Rights civil… Read More
This short video and testimonies of Virunga’s Women show how the Virunga Alliance, with its four pillars Tourism, Agro Industry, Sustainable Fisheries and Renewable Energy, is enhancing women’s engagement and empowerment through the creation of equal opportunities for men and women and contributing to sustainable peace building outcomes in DR-Congo. Women Empowerment refers to the… Read More
The following excerpt is based on an old ‘revised’ guest blog by Esther Marijnen, Blaise Muhire and Judith Vermeijden. It looks into the challenges of conservation amidst conflict, violence and poverty in Eastern DRC and more particularly within and around Virunga National Park. It reminds us an important lesson about conservation: Conserving Virunga For and With Congolese… Read More
Herebelow Virunga National Park‘s last message on the death of two of their Rangers: Remembering the Rangers Mulonga and Mumbere Rangers Fidèle Mulonga Mulegalega and Venant Mumbere Muvesevese died doing everything in their power to protect the park. We all owe them a debt of gratitude for their sacrifice. Were it not for brave men and women like them, Virunga National Park… Read More
Oil exploitation in Virunga’s block V is similar to the final of an important soccer game between the government with its petroleum allies, and the local communities that depend on inexhaustible natural resources and their supporters, civil society organizations working on the protection of the environment. Both teams have been trained to use the legal instruments that are at… Read More
SAVE VIRUNGA 