United Nations agencies issued a warning on Friday about the escalating humanitarian crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, as clashes between government forces and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group intensify.
The rebels have already captured the provincial capital, Goma, and reports suggest they are advancing toward the strategic city of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province. The fighting is taking place in a mineral-rich region that has been plagued by instability for decades due to the presence of various armed groups. This ongoing conflict has forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes, seeking refuge in displacement camps.
UN humanitarian agencies are raising alarms about the worsening conditions for civilians, many of whom are likely trapped amid days of fierce fighting around Goma, which has a population of over a million.
Displacement camps on the outskirts of Goma, once home to more than 300,000 people, are now being emptied as families flee the violence. Medical facilities are overwhelmed with casualties, including both civilians and military personnel. The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned of critical shortages of food and clean water, emphasizing that the next 24 hours are crucial.
“People are running out of food, clean water, and medical supplies, and that’s a significant concern. The supply chain has essentially been cut off,” said WFP spokesperson Shelley Thakral.
Several WFP warehouses have been looted, and teams are working to assess what supplies need to be procured locally and delivered by road to the hardest-hit areas.
WFP’s priority remains the safety of its staff and their dependents, with only essential personnel remaining in the region, ready to resume operations when security allows.
In addition to the humanitarian crisis, the human rights situation is also deteriorating. The UN human rights office (OHCHR) reported that at least two displacement sites have been bombed, causing civilian casualties. OHCHR spokesperson Jeremy Laurence also noted that between January 26 and 28, M23 rebels executed at least 12 people, and the office has documented incidents of sexual violence committed by both Congolese troops and allied fighters in South Kivu’s Kalehe territory. The office is also investigating reports of 52 women being raped by Congolese soldiers, including allegations of gang rape.
NAN
