Displaying items by tag: Goma

Fighting persists between the Congolese army and M23 rebels in Goma, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), leaving control of the city uncertain. The M23, which according to the UN is supported by thousands of Rwandan soldiers, claims to hold the provincial capital, though Congolese authorities dispute this. Rebel patrols have been reported in western Goma, while Congolese forces are reportedly guarding the airport. With independent access to parts of the city restricted and communication infrastructure disrupted, reliable updates are scarce. The fighting has forced thousands of civilians to flee. The volatile region is rich in minerals that are critical to much of the world’s technology. Kenyan president William Ruto, describing the situation as ‘very complicated’, said that it could only be solved diplomatically: see

400,000 people have been evacuated from ‘red zones’ in the city of Goma, home to between 560,000 and a million people. Nyirangono’s lava flow has destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses and severed most electricity into Goma, causing massive black-outs in a panic-stricken and vulnerable area. Lack of power to water pumping stations has disrupted water availability to over a million people, drastically reducing living standards. There are continuing aftershocks and further eruptions, with cholera and Covid causing serious concerns. Poor electricity supplies to four major hospitals in the area effectively limits their ability to deal with serious injuries, casualties and sickness. The eastern region of Congo is one of the most vulnerable areas on the continent. Decades of war have led to extreme poverty. Already limited resources are under enormous strain, and the people of Goma and the surrounding area are in need of urgent assistance. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said 500,000 people are without clean drinking water. See also

The number of new Ebola cases is at worrying levels and now the virus has reached Goma City, the Central Africa transport hub, where 2 million people live. A Pastor, who had become ill in Butembo travelled to Goma on 14 July and died in its treatment centre. All passengers on the bus the Pastor had taken to Goma have been traced. Butembo is one of the towns hardest hit by Ebola. The pastor held regular services in seven churches there and laid his hands on worshippers, including sick people. Over 1,650 people have died and about 700 people have recovered from Ebola. Currently there are 2,489 cases. The movement of people around or through Ebola zones is a huge challenge for health services. Provinces affected by the virus are characterised by poor infrastructure, political instability and ongoing conflict involving scores of armed militia groups and community mistrust of national authorities and outsiders. The World Health Organisation has sounded a global Ebola alarm see.