UN warns of dire humanitarian situation in DRC amid ongoing fighting
3 min readThe United Nations has issued a critical warning about the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where ongoing clashes between the army and M23 rebels have significantly impacted civilians, especially in the city of Goma, home to around two million residents and internally displaced people.
During a press briefing on Monday, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, described the situation as “volatile and dangerous.” He stressed that the region, already grappling with immense humanitarian challenges, is now facing a high risk of a broader disaster. “The risks of a wider humanitarian catastrophe are extremely high,” Lacroix noted.
The eastern DRC has been a hotspot for conflict for decades, and the current M23 offensive is threatening to escalate further, potentially triggering a regional war. The country already has nearly 6.5 million displaced individuals, including close to 3 million in North Kivu province, where Goma is located. Bruno Lemarquis, the UN’s Deputy Special Representative and Humanitarian Coordinator for the DRC, echoed Lacroix’s concerns, highlighting the escalating violence in Goma and surrounding areas. “The situation in and around Goma is extremely worrying, with new levels of violence and suffering,” Lemarquis said. Active combat zones are now affecting all parts of the city, causing severe disruption and humanitarian distress.
Hospitals in the region are overwhelmed, struggling to manage the influx of casualties. Many basic services, such as water, electricity, and the internet, have been severely disrupted, making it even harder to provide essential care and support to the population. “Phone networks remain operational but are patchy, which is hindering coordination and the effectiveness of the humanitarian response,” Lemarquis added.
In response to the growing violence, the UN has begun evacuating its personnel from Goma by air and road to ensure their safety. Despite these challenges, the UN’s peacekeeping mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, is continuing its work to protect civilians and stabilize the region. MONUSCO’s efforts include disarming combatants in line with international humanitarian law, and the mission has also been sheltering significant numbers of displaced civilians and former combatants in its premises.
The UN is calling for temporary humanitarian pauses in the fighting to allow for the safe evacuation of civilians and the delivery of much-needed aid. The situation is dire, and the UN has welcomed the announcement of a meeting by the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council to address the crisis. Lacroix emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, stating, “We look forward to further engagement by the African Union in the efforts to bring about a cessation of hostilities.”
As the fighting intensifies, thousands of families continue to flee the Goma region, carrying only what they can. These displaced people are seeking safety from the relentless violence that has already reached their homes and neighborhoods. The humanitarian situation continues to worsen, and while the UN’s efforts to stabilize the region are ongoing, the scale of the crisis demands urgent international attention and action.
Source: African News Agency
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