HIGHLIGHTS
• A fragile calm observed after two days of intense fighting in the city of Goma
• Several hundreds of injured individuals received treatment in hospitals and health centers in Goma and Bukavu.
• 12 people killed because of shelling in sites hosting displaced persons in Rusayo
• CERF allocated $17 million for an emergency response to affected population in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
SITUATION OVERVIEW
North-Kivu :
Heavy Fighting in the City of Goma
Relative calm was observed in Goma since midday on 28 January, where the M23 appears to have taken control of a significant portion of the city following intense fighting with the Congolese army. Reports have emerged of looting of shops, offices, and warehouses belonging to humanitarian organizations, while heavy gunfire and explosions have been heard in various parts of the city since 27 January. Humanitarian sources report several incidents of violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), including sexual assaults perpetrated by armed groups. Numerous lifeless bodies are littering the streets of Goma. Local sources believe the civilian casualties are significant, although assessment is yet to be conducted.
In Goma, essential services are severely disrupted. Water and electricity have been cut off since midday on 26 January. Internet access has also been interrupted since mid-day on 27 January, complicating humanitarian coordination efforts. Only mobile phone networks are functioning.
On 26 January, at least 12 people lost their lives, and around 10 others were injured following shell explosions at Rusayo 1 and 2 sites in the Nyiragongo territory. Several water, hygiene, and sanitation facilities, as well as shelters, were also destroyed. As a direct consequence of the fighting, more than half of the displaced populations from the Kanyaruchinya, Bushagara, Rusayo 1, and Rusayo 2 sites have left these areas. Some have headed towards Goma or other nearby localities, while others have sought refuge with host communities, in schools, and other collective infrastructures.
Due to the fighting, humanitarian activities are severely impacted. Only health-related interventions and water, hygiene, and sanitation activities continue. Since 22 January, schools in Goma and Nyiragongo have been closed due to the ongoing clashes. Health facilities are overwhelmed, and humanitarian partners are mobilizing to care for the severely injured, despite power and water outages. Medical evacuations have become a challenge as ambulances have been targeted. An ambulance driver was shot on 28 January.
As of 28 January, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) recorded more than 256 injuries at the Ndosho Hospital, while Médecins Sans Frontières reported receiving over 61 injured patients at the Kyeshero hospital in Goma. Goma airport has been closed since 26 January, leading to the suspension of air traffic, including humanitarian cargo and rotations of humanitarian personnel. Most of the roadways connecting the city of Goma to the rest of the country are also cut off.
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.