Synopsis
Rising health hazards in Goma, DRC, are attributed to the presence of deceased bodies, lack of safe drinking water, and heavy rainfall, according to UN humanitarian agencies. With hospitals overwhelmed and crime levels increasing, many citizens face dire living conditions.Key Takeaways
- Bodies are still found in Goma's streets, raising health concerns.
- Untreated water from Lake Kivu is the only option for many residents.
- The rainy season is worsening the public health crisis.
- Crime is escalating due to instability caused by M23 rebels.
- The World Food Programme is readying for increased displacement.
Moscow, Feb 4 (NationPress) Decaying bodies litter the streets, the absence of clean drinking water, and a heightened rainy season are contributing to rising health hazards in Goma, located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to UN humanitarian agencies.
On Monday, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported, “Numerous bodies of individuals who succumbed to violence are still present in Goma’s streets.” They noted that morgues have reached full capacity, and hospitals and health facilities are overwhelmed with casualties.
OCHA highlighted that while chlorination of water is in progress with help from humanitarian partners, the scarcity of potable water is forcing Goma's residents to depend on untreated water sourced from Lake Kivu. The ongoing rainy season exacerbates the situation, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Crime levels have surged, further complicating the scenario, especially following the recent invasion by M23 rebels.
OCHA disclosed that two humanitarian organizations and governmental bodies reported instances of vehicle hijacking over the weekend.
OCHA is currently evaluating the consequences of looting on their warehouses as they strive to resume aid distribution in Goma and its surroundings.
Despite economic activities gradually picking up, schools and banks within Goma remain shuttered.
OCHA, alongside relief partners, has been assessing displacement sites in Goma's vicinity, revealing that numerous camps have been looted, destroyed, and abandoned. While some individuals have returned to their hometowns or sought refuge elsewhere, many continue to lack sufficient housing and essential services.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has indicated that they are prepositioning supplies and are prepared to restart operations as soon as conditions permit.
WFP is also enhancing preparedness initiatives in neighboring nations, collaborating with the UN Refugee Agency, the International Organization for Migration, and other vital partners to formulate contingency strategies.
The agency stated, “Considering the potential for increased displacement, WFP is ensuring readiness in Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and Tanzania,” amid rising concerns that conflicts in eastern DRC could escalate into a regional crisis.
OCHA reported that one in four individuals across the DRC is experiencing acute hunger, including vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant, and nursing women. Armed conflicts, ongoing violence, and skyrocketing food prices are significant contributors to the DRC's acute food insecurity.
The UN mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) expressed concerns regarding the reported advance of the rebel M23 group towards the capital of South Kivu, Bukavu.
MONUSCO no longer holds a mandate from the UN Security Council to intervene in South Kivu.
The peacekeeping mission stated that M23 rebels are allegedly solidifying their control in Goma through regular patrols and home searches. Reports of looting and the occupation of private residences by the armed group have surfaced, including attempts to commandeer vehicles owned by humanitarian organizations, contravening international humanitarian law.
MONUSCO confirmed that hostilities persist on the outskirts of Minova in South Kivu, with government forces bolstering their positions in Nyabibwe, located 85 km north of Bukavu on the western shore of Lake Kivu.
