Location: University of Kinshasa and surrounding areas, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo Event: There are reports of planned protest activity for Monday (July 26) near the University of Kinshsa in the Lemba area of Kinshasa. Protest activity may affect surrounding areas. Be alert, remain aware of your surroundings, and avoid affected areas, if possible. Heavy traffic conditions and a heightened police presence can be expected. Actions to take: Avoid the area. Avoid crowds and demonstrations. Be aware of your surroundings. Monitor local media for updates. Continue reading

I'm struggling how to post updates with an slow internet (Edge). Continue reading

Happy Independence Day to the Congolese people!The Democratic Republic of the Congo National Day 06/30/2021 12:01 AM EDT Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State On behalf of the United States, I extend my best wishes and congratulations to the people and the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the 61st anniversary of your independence. On this historic day, we reiterate our commitment to further strengthening of the ties between our countries. Our U.S.-DRC Privileged Partnership for Peace and Prosperity, which now also includes preservation of the environment, reflects our shared commitment to improving the lives of our... Continue reading

Today, we started putting up signage to identify and recognize the donor for water wells in Lodja. The US Embassy in Kinshasa funded three wells in Lodja. The water wells were drilled and installed by AMECO. Continue reading

Do not travel to Democratic Republic of the Congo due to COVID-19. Reconsider travel due to crime and civil unrest. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Read the Department of State's COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Democratic Republic of the Congo due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine.... Continue reading

Do Not Travel to Democratic Republic of the Congo due to COVID-19. Reconsider travel due to crime and civil unrest. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Read?the Department of State's?COVID-19?page?before?you?plan any international?travel.? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Democratic Republic of the Congo due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms may be lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine. Before planning any international travel, please review... Continue reading

Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, DRC (June 16, 2021) Location: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Event: COVID-19 Health Measures in the DRC. On June 15, 2021 the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced new steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This follows the announcement that DRC is suffering a “third wave” of COVID-19 infections. There is a curfew from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am. Military patrols and police enforce the curfew. Congolese and foreigners have been arrested for violating curfew. Masks are required in public indoor and outdoor spaces. Gatherings of more than 20 people are prohibited.... Continue reading

The water well started yesterday is complete. First, the solar water pump was installed. The solar panels was connected to pump for testing of the water delivery. The water tower was built. The water tank was installed and connected to the pump. The panels were mounted on top of the tower. Finally, concrete pads were poured around the tower. At the end of the day, before flying back to our homebase, we scouted the site of the next water well starting on Friday. Continue reading

After breakfast, we started to gather our things to leave Lodja for Onalua. We loaded our bags in the plane. And shortly after 0930 hours, we (Paul, the pilot; the cook; and me) departed. It was a pleasurable 40-minute flight. We landed in the road in front of the Catholic Sister's house located a few kilometers outside of Tshombe. We tied down plane between the road and house. One of our pickup trucks met us there. And we quickly departed for Onalua about an hour away. The crew was waiting for us at the drill site. We made final adjustments... Continue reading

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I have been on the move! I arrived in Kinshasa, Congo on Saturday night. And I departed for Lodja on Monday morning. On Tuesday, we (Paul Law and I) flew out to the bush village of Opombo. I helped finished up Paul's work there. Then we drove up to bush village of of Onalua to drill two water wells. One water well was completed successfully except for installing the water tank. On Friday, we returned to Lodja for the weekend. It's only 40 minute trip by flying versus driving 10+ hours. Continue reading

It was bad now! And it's going to get worst. Wow! https://www.brusselstimes.com/news/172816/airport-council-warns-of-potential-chaos-due-to-covid-linked-checks/ EXCERPTS: Airports throughout Europe could be in for a chaotic summer as checks linked to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic slow the processing of passengers, according to Airport Council International Europe (ACI-Europe). With the ongoing easing of travel restrictions in Europe and elsewhere, thanks to the improving epidemiological situation, more and more people are expected to pass through European airports, ACI-Europe said in a press release. Continue reading

My legs was too cramped. Continue reading

We were scheduled to board at 5:00pm. And I guess we officially started boarding. But most had not gotten there documents checked because you were not told about the requirement in advance. I was not told, although, I get text updates. Shame on you United Airlines. We are pushing back at 7:10 EST. It's Departure PLUS 4h45m! Continue reading

First flight is Indianapolis to Washington DC. It's a short one of just over one hour! I got upgraded to First Class. Wow! Departure is scheduled 2:30 pm EDT (1930 Zulu) D+00:00 Continue reading

Security Alert #7: Volcanic Eruption of Mount Nyiragongo, U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, DRC (May 27, 2021) Location: Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Event: The government of DRC ordered the evacuation of the eastern part of the city of Goma. The following neighborhoods were told to evacuate by road to Sake: Quartiers Majengo, Mabanga Nord, Mabanga Sud, Bujovu, Virunga, Murara, Mapendo, Mikeno, Kayembe, le Volcan. The border with Rwanda remains open at this time, but there are reports that travelers must cross by foot at the Grande Barrier then proceed by taxi or other transportation. U.S. citizens planning to cross... Continue reading

Security Alert #6: Volcanic Eruption of Mount Nyiragongo, U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, DRC (May 25, 2021) Location: Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Event: Earthquakes and seismic activity, including the release of harmful gases from fissures, continue as a result of the May 22 eruption of Mount Nyiragongo. Following the government of DRC’s advisory to stay away from affected “Red Zones”, the U.S. Embassy has advised U.S. government personnel in Goma to temporarily relocate. U.S. citizens in Goma should make contingency plans to leave and consider departing if you feel unsafe. The U.S. government is not planning an evacuation and... Continue reading

Security Alert #5: Volcanic Eruption of Mount Nyiragongo, U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, DRC (May 25, 2021) Location: Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Event: Earthquakes and seismic activity, including the release of harmful gases from fissures, continue as a result of the May 22 eruption of Mount Nyiragongo. There are reports of damage from the earthquakes throughout the city, including of buildings and streets. Remain vigilant, monitor local media, and follow instructions of local authorities. Avoid all areas considered “Red Zones” by local authorities. U.S. citizens who feel unsafe should consider departing Goma. Goma Airport remains closed until further notice... Continue reading

The $3 billion would be used for water, electricity, agriculture, fiber-optic expansion and other development projects. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-24/end-of-power-struggle-may-unlock-3-billion-of-funds-for-congo Continue reading

Security Alert #4: Volcanic Eruption of Mount Nyiragongo, U.S. Embassy Kinshasa, DRC (May 24, 2021) Location: Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Event: Seismic activity and tremors continue as a result of the May 22 eruption of Mount Nyiragongo. Remain vigilant, monitor local media, and follow instructions of local authorities. Goma Airport remains closed until further notice per DRC Civil Aviation authorities. Ferries are operating as normal between Goma and Bukavu. The border between Goma and Rwanda remains open at this time, but U.S. citizens may be restricted to remain in Gisenyi. U.S. citizens who crossed into Rwanda or... Continue reading

Khaliah Ali, the daughter of champion boxer Muhammad Ali, joined CNN's Pamela Brown to discuss the eruption of the Mount Nyiragongo volcano in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. She has made humanitarian visits to the country in the past and it is where her father fought in the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match. https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2021/05/23/khaliah-ali-congo-volcano-eruption-newsroom.cnn Continue reading

The following article (https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/3-000-children-out-of-school-in-kasai-region-of-dr-congo/2245253) identified two issues in the Kasai Provinces in south central Congo. First, three thousand students were out of school due to intercommunal violence. Second, 651 thousand Congolese are facing a good insecurity crisis in Dibayi. #Congo #FoodInsecurity #kasai #Dibayi Continue reading

The 'Fully Vaccinated' status will not be internationally recognized until an International Vaccination Passport is developed, implemented, and accepted. Until then, COVID-19 testing is required for departure and entry into countries. https://www.winchesterstar.com/coronavirus/pent-up-demand-has-travel-ramping-up/article_a91a4914-123f-51c1-b948-60408ccd8976.html The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people not travel internationally until they're fully vaccinated because “fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19.” “However, international travel poses additional risks, and even fully vaccinated travelers might be at increased risk for getting and possibly spreading some COVID-19 variants,” the CDC advises. Before traveling, the CDC recommends fully vaccinated travelers understand and familiarize with themselves... Continue reading

The new face mask requirement is for you IF YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED. Continue reading

I think will continue wearing my face mask! Here's the statistics I saw this morning that 37 percent of Americans are fully vaccinated. However, I suspect that most unvaccinated Americans will not comply and were a face mask. I am fully vaccinated or not? Continue reading