- Doctors Without Borders says several of its medical stocks in city of Goma of equipment, medicines have been looted
ISTANBUL
UNICEF on Wednesday sought financial aid to the tune of $22 million amid conflict in the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ongoing clashes between the Congolese army and rebel group M23 have intensified, worsening security in the eastern city of Goma. The escalating violence has caused the displacement of 658,000 people over the last three months, including at least 282,000 children, according to a UNICEF statement.
UNICEF aims to address critical humanitarian needs in eastern Congo, such as access to safe drinking water, sufficient sanitation, medical supplies, treatment for severe malnutrition, as well as child protection programs.
Expressing alarm over the worsening humanitarian situation, UNICEF said it had received reports of a rise in the number of children separated from their families, putting them at higher risk of abduction, forced recruitment, and sexual violence.
“Civilians, exhausted by the traumatic events, are suffering from hunger, thirst and exhaustion. Families deprived of access to water, electricity and the Internet, are taking refuge wherever they can to escape the violence,” Jean Francois Basse, acting UNICEF representative in Congo, said in the statement.
He urged all parties to end the violence, which “exacerbates the suffering of children and worsens the already appalling humanitarian conditions.”
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) also said Wednesday that Kyeshero Hospital in Goma is overwhelmed with the injured as the group’s staff treat them amid gunfights and worsening insecurity in the region.
“Several of our stocks of equipment and medicines have been looted, jeopardizing our medical assistance inside and outside Goma,” said Virginie Napolitano, the group’s emergency coordinator in North Kivu.
“Armed looting has also affected our colleagues in Goma. One of them was wounded by gunshot in his home during an attack. Other organizations and medical facilities have also come under fire. This is totally unacceptable,” she added.
Since last week, at least 42 people, including 17 foreign peacekeepers, have been killed in Goma.
Rwanda has claimed that at least nine of its citizens were killed in an alleged cross-border exchange of gunfire from Goma.
