Without guaranteed humanitarian access in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, thousands could succumb to their wounds following a recent spike in armed clashes and insecurity in the area.
Development Diaries reports that an influx of wounded people is arriving at hospitals, with the conflict limiting the ability of health and humanitarian workers to provide people with the medical care they need, according to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
We understand fighting between the March 23 (M23) rebels, the Congolese army, and their respective allies reached Goma’s city centre earlier this week, causing panic and impacting residents.
Goma, the capital city of North Kivu province, has been cut off from the rest of the world for several days, and victims of the fighting are arriving at medical facilities whenever they can.
‘At Kyeshero hospital, a bullet pierced the roof of the operating theatre during an operation’, MSF’s emergency coordinator in North Kivu, Virginie Napolitano said in a statement.
‘Several of our stocks of equipment and medicines have been looted, jeopardising our medical assistance inside and outside Goma.
‘Armed looting has also affected our colleagues in Goma. One of them was wounded by a gunshot in his home during an attack. Other organisations and medical facilities have also come under fire. This is totally unacceptable’.
Essential services have been severely disrupted. Water and electricity have been cut off since mid-day on 26 January. Internet access has also been interrupted since mid-day on 27 January, complicating humanitarian coordination efforts.
Development Diaries call on the M23 rebels, the Congolese army, and their allies to respect the most basic rules of international humanitarian law and guarantee humanitarian access so that essential medical assistance can be provided to people.
We also urge the government to ensure that the attacks on health facilities and aid workers are thoroughly investigated, with those responsible brought to justice.
Source: MSF
Photo source: MSF