A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6 on the Richter scale hit the border area between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda on the morning of 3 February. The epicentre was located in Birava in the Bukavu province of DR Congo, and the earthquake has also severely affected the Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts of Rwanda.

At least 33 people died in Rwanda and about 400 people have been injured, 18 of them seriously. They all have been transferred to hospitals in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

The earthquake has also caused great structural damage in Rwanda. At least 220 houses have been severely damaged, as well as the hospital in Nyamasheke. "Some 80 people currently need to be treated outside the hospital, so the priority for Rwandan Red Cross is to bring them shelter as soon as possible," said Yvonne Kabagire, Rwandan Red Cross information officer.

A Rwandan Red Cross disaster response team has been sent to the affected area, which is about a four hour drive from Kigali. Disaster preparedness stocks, composed of medical relief materials and hygiene kits, have been deployed to the affected area. Some 200 blankets, 200 mats and 100 pieces of sheeting - among other items - are currently being distributed by Red Cross volunteers.

On the other side of the border, the Democratic Republic of Congo Red Cross has also been assisting quake victims. At least six people are reported dead in Bukavu while a total number of 269 people have been injured in Bukavu and Kabare. Several people were injured when a church collapsed while they were praying. A school in Kabare has also been hit.

DR Congo Red Cross volunteers and staff have been mobilized to help affected people, with the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The Goma Volcanic Observatory, which is located near the border with Rwanda, has warned that additional high-magnitude earth movements may follow in the coming hours. To this effect, the Rwandan Red Cross has sent instructions to local communities to stay outdoors and away from falling objects in case of aftershocks.

Both Rwandan Red Cross and Democratic Republic of Congo Red Cross expect the number of casualties to rise as the emergency teams reach isolated areas that were also hit by the earthquake.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is closely monitoring the situation. Its offices in Nairobi and Kinshasa have been mobilized, and extra support will be given when necessary.