More than 700 people have been killed and 2,800 injured in just five days since fighting escalated in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between January 26-30, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters Friday.
“The WHO (World Health Organization) and its partners conducted an assessment with the government between the 26th and yesterday and report that 700 people have been killed and 2,800 people injured,” Dujarric said, noting that these totals are expected to rise.
“Humanitarian organizations in Goma continue to assess the impact of the crisis including the widespread looting of warehouses and the offices of aid organizations,” he added.
Goma, the largest city in eastern DR Congo’s North Kivu province, fell under the control of the AFC/M23 rebel coalition on Monday, the rebels told CNN. This was the latest in a string of territorial acquisitions by the group in recent weeks. The Congolese government, which accuses Rwanda of backing M23, has not confirmed the rebels’ takeover in Goma but acknowledged the city was under siege.
On Wednesday DRC President Felix Tshisekedi vowed “a vigorous and coordinated response” against the rebel alliance that has besieged swathes of the nation’s mineral-rich east and forced hundreds of local troops to surrender.
Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix told reporters Friday that “the situation remains tense” in Goma with “occasional shooting” but “overall calm is gradually restored.”
He also warned that the rebel groups are about 60 kilometers north of another major city, Bakavu, and “seem to be moving quite fast.”
Experts have repeatedly warned that the chaos of the conflict would leave civilians in Goma with shortages of basic necessities and at the risk of the spread of disease.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) found on Friday that access to safe drinking water in Goma has been cut off, “forcing people to use untreated water from Lake Kivu with all the risk that entails,” Dujarric said.
He added, “Without urgent action OCHA cautions the risk of water born disease outbreaks will just continue to increase.”
Latest Stories
-
Small-Scale miners accuse law enforcement and politicians of extortion and harassment
4 minutes -
Kusaug NDC executives condemn burning of Bawku Naba’s Statue, says it’s a declaration of war
12 minutes -
Kusaug NDC executives threaten to withdraw from campaigns over Bawku insecurity
15 minutes -
Kusaug NDC executives condemn alleged State-sponsored attack in Bawku
19 minutes -
NDC executives in 6 Kusaug constituencies accuse Mahama of betrayal over Bawku security crisis
21 minutes -
West African leaders launch Executive Forum on Strategic Compliance
23 minutes -
Minority condemns Ablekuma North rerun violence, calls it a threat to Ghana’s democracy
27 minutes -
“Bigger faces don’t always bring bigger money” – Jeffrey Nortey slams selective casting in Ghana’s film industry
38 minutes -
Winning WAFCON 2024 will define success for Black Queens – Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah
40 minutes -
Police nab three over gold robbery in Western Region
41 minutes -
Ministers, agency heads to use solar-powered electric cars – Energy Minister
51 minutes -
ECG deploys new billing system to curb revenue losses – Energy Minister
58 minutes -
Government sets 2028 target for universal electricity access – Energy Minister
1 hour -
At least 20 killed in crush at US-backed GHF aid site in Gaza
1 hour -
KAA’s ‘Big Bang’ enters NPP flagbearer race in style
1 hour