Hospitals in DR Congo Struggle Amid Goma Violence As UN Warns of Escalating Humanitarian Crisis

The eastern Congolese city of Goma is on the brink of collapse as hospitals buckle under the pressure of mounting casualties following intense fighting between government forces and M23 rebels. The United Nations and aid organizations are sounding the alarm over a growing humanitarian catastrophe, with reports of widespread looting, displacement, and critical shortages of medical and food supplies.

Crisis in Goma: Overwhelmed Hospitals and Widespread Devastation

The city’s hospitals are overwhelmed, struggling to cope with an influx of wounded civilians and combatants alike. Hundreds of patients, many suffering from gunshot wounds and severe injuries caused by heavy artillery fire, are being treated under dire conditions. According to Adelheid Marschang, the World Health Organization’s emergency response coordinator for the Democratic Republic of Congo, the situation is beyond critical.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has described a harrowing scene at its hospital in Goma, where more than 100 injured patients were admitted in a single day—numbers typically seen over an entire month. With no space left in the hospital, the staff has been forced to convert the car park into a triage area, highlighting the desperate lack of capacity to address the scale of the crisis.

Children have been disproportionately affected by the conflict, with many suffering life-threatening injuries from heavy shelling in densely populated neighborhoods. The use of heavy artillery in civilian areas has caused severe destruction, leaving homes, schools, and essential infrastructure in ruins.

Mass Displacement and Looting Deepen the Crisis

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates that tens of thousands of residents have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in makeshift shelters or trekking to neighboring regions. Entire families are abandoning their livelihoods, leaving behind everything as they escape the violence.

In addition to the displacement crisis, aid agencies report large-scale looting of warehouses containing critical food and medical supplies. This has left humanitarian organizations struggling to meet even the most basic needs of the displaced population. The World Food Programme (WFP) and ICRC have confirmed that their storage facilities were raided by armed groups in recent days, further complicating relief efforts.

Rising Death Toll and International Peacekeeper Casualties

The ongoing clashes have already claimed at least 17 civilian lives, with close to 400 reported wounded. Among the dead are peacekeepers deployed to the region as part of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO).

South Africa, one of the countries contributing troops to the peacekeeping mission, has suffered significant losses. Four more of its soldiers were recently confirmed dead, bringing the total number of South African peacekeeper casualties to 13. Malawi and Uruguay have also reported losses among their troops.

Diplomatic Efforts and Regional Tensions

As the humanitarian situation worsens, diplomatic efforts are intensifying. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Rwandan President Paul Kagame have called for an immediate ceasefire and a resumption of peace talks. Meanwhile, the African Union has announced an emergency meeting to discuss strategies for de-escalating the conflict.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also stepped into the fray, condemning the M23 offensive and urging dialogue. In a call with DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi, Rubio stressed the need for renewed peace negotiations involving Rwanda, which has been accused of providing direct support to the M23 rebels.

Kenya’s President William Ruto has arranged a meeting between Tshisekedi and Kagame, set to take place on Wednesday. The Congolese government is simultaneously pushing for another UN Security Council meeting, demanding stronger international action, including sanctions against Rwanda.

During an emergency UN session on Sunday, DR Congo accused Rwanda of a “declaration of war,” citing allegations that Rwandan troops had crossed into Congolese territory to support the M23 rebels. The UN condemned these actions, calling them a violation of DR Congo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Living Conditions in Goma: A City in Crisis

The situation in Goma continues to deteriorate as residents grapple with shortages of basic necessities. Since Friday, the city has been without electricity and water, compounding the misery of those already struggling to survive. Vital Kamerhe, the speaker of the Congolese National Assembly, stated that the government is working to restore these services but acknowledged the challenges posed by the ongoing violence.

Amid the chaos, protests have erupted in the capital, Kinshasa. On Tuesday, demonstrators burned parts of the French embassy, expressing their frustration over what they perceived as international inaction. Angry mobs blocked streets, set tires ablaze, and disrupted traffic in a show of solidarity with the people of Goma. Civil society groups have also called for a “dead city” protest, urging citizens to stay home to mourn the victims and demand action.

The Road Ahead: Calls for Peace Amid Growing Despair

The conflict in DR Congo is rooted in complex political and ethnic tensions, with the M23 rebels accusing the government of marginalizing certain communities. The group’s resurgence has reignited long-standing grievances and regional rivalries, particularly with Rwanda, which has consistently denied supporting the rebels despite mounting evidence.

As Goma teeters on the edge of collapse, the need for immediate and coordinated action cannot be overstated. Regional and international stakeholders must prioritize humanitarian aid, facilitate peace talks, and address the root causes of the conflict to prevent further loss of life and suffering.

The people of Goma—and DR Congo as a whole—are caught in a cycle of violence and displacement that threatens to destabilize the entire region. Without decisive intervention, the humanitarian crisis will only deepen, leaving millions to bear the brunt of a conflict they cannot escape.

Source: BBC Africa.