Goma, the capital of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is facing dire humanitarian conditions following the takeover by M23 rebels, exacerbated by longstanding conflicts fueled by regional tensions and resource control. The humanitarian crisis has reached alarming levels, with the World Food Programme (WFP) warning of dangerously low food supplies, all compounded by outages of water and electricity.
Since the M23 seized control of major parts of Goma, aid delivery has been severely impacted. The closure of Goma’s airport, allegedly with support from Rwanda, is critically hampering humanitarian efforts. Roads have also been blocked, isolizing thousands and pushing families to escape using perilous makeshift boats across Lake Kivu.
Tom Fletcher, emergency relief chief from the UN, has allocated $17 million from the Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) to support life-saving assistance. Nevertheless, access to those most affected remains uncertain due to heightened insecurity. Reports indicate over 2,000 injury cases, including many from gunshot wounds, overwhelming hospitals ill-equipped to handle the influx of patients.
The World Health Organization (WHO), alongside Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), has been working relentlessly to bolster healthcare services but faces significant supply disruptions. Health authorities are warning of increasing risks for disease outbreaks, with cholera, measles, and mpox being particularly concerning due to unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation facilities.
Elsewhere, the fighting has led to around 700,000 people becoming internally displaced within North and South Kivu. The situation is particularly alarming with armed men noted for widespread looting and violence against civilians, severely inhibiting economic activity and access to fields and markets.
On the political front, the M23 rebels have expressed ambitions to extend their influence beyond Goma. Corneille Nangaa, one of the group's political leaders, claimed, "We want to go to Kinshasa, take power and lead the country." This statement indicates the rebels' intent not just on territorial control but on gaining political power within the DRC, raising alarms for the national government.
Congolese Defence Minister Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita has rebuffed any suggestion of negotiations, stating, "If we do not stay alive here, let’s stay dead here," illustrating the government's defiance against the M23's advance and rejection of peace talks suggested by regional actors. The situation is precarious; many residents are fearful and without sufficient resources to survive.
The peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) has ramped up its operations within Djugu territory to mitigate violence and support the free movement of humanitarian aid. This has included increasing patrols on main roads to facilitate access for aid workers and local populations affected by the conflict.
Bruno Lemarquis, the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator for DRC, has issued urgent appeals for international support for those suffering from the crisis. He urged the international community to increase efforts to address the continuing wounds of this humanitarian disaster and restore hope to the beleaguered population of Goma: "I call on the international community to step up its support in the face of a worsening humanitarian crisis."
The focus now ought to be on providing assistance before conditions deteriorate even more, with WFP expressing readiness to resume food distribution but requiring security for its operations to commence. Without immediate aid, many will remain at severe risk of starvation and disease, emphasizing the urgency of international intervention.