The situation in the Congolese Goma: the corpses in the streets and fears of the outbreak of diseases

According to the Office of Humanitarian Coordination, UN spokesman Stephen Dujarric said that the candidate was filled with full capacity and that hospitals and health centers are crowded with wounded.

At the daily press conference, the spokesman indicated the ongoing efforts to add chlorine to water, with the support of United Nations partners in the humanitarian field. He said that the lack of drinking water is forcing people in Goma to rely on unspeakable water from Lake Kivu. He added that economic activities and other activities in Guma are gradually resuming, but schools and banks are still closed.

Dujarik reported that vehicles belonging to two humanitarian organizations and government entities were kidnapped during the weekend. Relief organizations continue to evaluate the effect of looting of their warehouses, while these groups try to resume the delivery of aid in Goma and the surrounding areas.

Stefan Dujarric stated that the Office of Humanitarian Coordination and its Humanitarian Partners conducted an evaluation of the displacement sites in Guma and the surrounding areas during Friday and Saturday.

Initial results revealed that many camps were looted and destroyed, and their residents have deserted them. While some people may have returned to their societies and sought to resort elsewhere, many still lack the appropriate shelter and reach basic services.

United Nations agencies intensify efforts

For his part, the World Food Program stated that it is intensifying its efforts to store supplies, stressing its willingness to resume its operations as soon as the circumstances allow this. The UN Agency is also working to enhance preparation efforts in neighboring countries, to work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organization for Migration, and other organizations with the aim of developing emergency plans.

The World Food Program is working to ensure preparedness in Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania due to the risk of increasing displacement.

Stefan Dujarric said that one out of every four people across the country faces severe starvation, including children and pregnant and lactating women, noting that armed violence, constant conflict and high food prices are clearly the main factors behind the acute food insecurity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Continuous concerns about the progress of the March 23 movement

On the other hand, the United Nations Mission to Stabilize in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – in the east of the country – expressed continuous concerns about the progress made by the March 23 (M23) armed movement towards the capital of South Kivu Bukavo.

The mission indicated that it has not been in southern Kivu since June of last year, as part of the disengagement plan agreed with the host country.

The UN mission indicated that the March 23 movement is working to enhance its presence in the capital, Goma, through regular patrols and home inspections. Reports have been received on the looting and occupation of private homes by the armed group as well as attempts to seize vehicles, including owned by humanitarian organizations, which constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law.

Meanwhile, the battles in the south of Kivu continue on the outskirts of Minova, and the Congolese forces have strengthened their positions in Niabobwe, 85 km from Bokavo on the western beach of Lake Kivu.