DRC continuously faces a complex and prolonged crisis as violence continues in the country. Image: UN-aligned
(The Post News)- The Democratic Republic of Congo has been facing a complex and prolonged crisis. 15 million children have experienced starvation, illness epidemics, and armed violence. The latest spike in violence is causing the humanitarian situation to rapidly worsen.
According to reports, a non-state armed group took control of sections of Goma on January 27. The attack has placed tens of thousands of people at risk of physical harm and forced displacement. This disturbing trend has intensified concerns of escalating violence. The concerns for violence exacerbated the already catastrophic humanitarian situation, marked by surging food shortages and displacement across the region. Over 400,000 people have escaped eastern DRC’s violence this year, seeking refuge in Goma or makeshift camps. This adds to the 7 million already displaced across the DRC because of the conflict. However, it mostly concerns the North and South Kivu and Ituri provinces. Eastern DRC has seen relentless fighting between government troops and armed groups since March 2022.
M23 rebel fighters quickly spread over the area, seizing much of Goma. Goma is a vital hub for trade and transportation due to its advantageous location on Lake Kivu, close to Rwanda. It connects mining communities rich in tin, gold, and coltan. These elements are essential for batteries used in electric vehicles and cell phones. The rebels assert control over the city, though pockets of resistance remain. The UN warns of a humanitarian crisis in Goma, with hospitals overwhelmed and bodies on the streets amid escalating conflict.
Seventeen U.N. peacekeepers have been killed in eastern DRC clashes with M23 rebels, including three fatalities in the last week, according to the U.N. reports. One of the peacekeepers is from Uruguay, and the other two are from South Africa. During a conflict in Goma, three individuals were killed. Since the United Nations deployed a peacekeeping force in Congo in 1999, more than 300 peacekeepers have lost their lives.
Recent deaths led to concerns regarding the efficacy and future of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO.) The administration of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is fed up with MONUSCO. It requested its withdrawal last year due to its perceived ineffectiveness in preventing attacks by various armed groups in eastern Congo.
Protecting civilians and aid workers as well as assisting Congo’s stabilization and peace initiatives in the face of persistent violence are all part of MONUSCO’s mandate. Kizito Sabala, international relations and diplomacy expert said the violence and tension will increase pressure on the U.N mission to withdraw. M23’s capture of Goma may spark prolonged instability, potentially leading to a devastating third Congo war, experts warn.
The people of the DRC are facing immense challenges, with food security remaining a critical issue. Economic instability, natural disasters, and conflict further complicate the food situation.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, World Vision works to improve the health, nutrition, safety, and education of children who are at risk.
Their broader goal is to provide vital aid to 10 million vulnerable people faced with extreme hardship. World Vision suspends aid operations in some DRC areas due to insecurity, leaving tens of thousands without essential supplies. The World Vision’s staff in Goma have sheltered in the region due to roads, supply lines, and the city’s airport being inoperable before the January 2025 violence. In several areas, power and water have been cut off.
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