The conflict in eastern Congo has escalated, causing civilian casualties and blocking access to humanitarian aid. We call on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and allow safe access to aid.
Conflict around the city of Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, has escalated in the first half of February 2024, with the use of heavy weapons in highly populated areas, leading to new massive displacement and further exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis in the area.
INTERSOS, alongside the member organizations of the International NGO Forum in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is raising an alarm on the serious consequences of the conflict escalation for the security and lives of civilians and humanitarian access, particularly in the territories of Masisi, Rutshuru, and Nyiragongo in North Kivu.
Since November 2023, clashes between government forces (FARDC) and the M23 group have led to the displacement of more than a million people. In recent weeks, NGOs have witnessed a worrying escalation in the intensity of fighting and means of warfare, with heavy artillery and mortar attacks on civilian settlements and densely populated areas, including Goma’s outskirts, causing a heavy toll on civilian lives and infrastructure.
“It’s critical to take action to protect the civilians and ensure humanitarian access”, stated INTERSOS Regional Director Andrea Martinotti. “Along with other INGOs present in the area, we ask all parties to the conflict to respect International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, ending indiscriminate attacks and allowing safe access to humanitarian aid”.
Lifesaving assistance to tens of thousands of people is currently suspended due to the situation. The main roads around Goma and Sake, crucial for the movement of civilians and humanitarian aid, have become impassable due to intensified fighting, further restricting access to essential services. Residents of affected areas are leaving their homes. People living in displacement sites are moving again. Health centers are empty.
“INTERSOS is committed to continuing providing much-needed humanitarian assistance in our areas of intervention and responding to newly identified needs”, Andrea Martinotti underlines.
INTERSOS’ presence in DRC plays a significant role in ensuring protection monitoring, with a large network of humanitarian workers specialized in mapping the needs and risks of the population and offering accurate and comprehensive assistance. Survivors of rights violations, including gender-based violence, are supported in their socio-economic reintegration through legal, economic, and psychological services. Awareness-raising activities to prevent gender-based violence are carried out in all provinces where INTERSOS is present. Our staff is also involved in prevention and awareness-raising activities on malnutrition, distributions of therapeutic food to children under five years old suffering from severe acute malnutrition, and support of specialised health facilities.