UN Reports Over 700 Deaths in Just Five Days of Conflict in DR Congo

The United Nations has reported that over 700 people have been killed and around 2,800 have been injured in just five days of escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), from January 26 to January 30. This tragic update was shared by UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on Friday. According to Dujarric, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners conducted a rapid assessment with the DRC government, revealing the scale of the violence, with these numbers likely to rise in the coming days. Humanitarian groups in Goma, a key city in the North Kivu province, are continuing their evaluations of the crisis’s impact. These assessments have highlighted significant destruction, including the looting of aid warehouses and offices belonging to humanitarian organizations.

Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC, has been a focal point in the ongoing conflict. On Monday, the city reportedly fell under the control of the M23 rebel coalition, according to statements made by the rebels to CNN. This is the latest territorial acquisition by the group in a series of gains they have made in the region in recent weeks. While the Congolese government has not officially confirmed the capture of Goma, they have acknowledged that the city is under siege by the rebel forces. The DRC government has also accused neighboring Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, a claim that Rwanda denies.

In response to the escalating violence, DRC President Felix Tshisekedi vowed to launch a “vigorous and coordinated response” against the M23 rebels, who have taken control of large parts of the country’s mineral-rich eastern region. The rebel group has been rapidly advancing, forcing many local troops to surrender and complicating efforts to maintain order in the region. The situation remains dire, with the growing influence of the M23 coalition threatening the stability of the area and leaving civilians in increasingly perilous conditions.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, addressed the ongoing situation on Friday, noting that while Goma remained tense, with occasional gunfire being heard, the overall atmosphere was slowly returning to calm. However, he warned that the M23 rebels were only about 60 kilometers from another major city, Bukavu, and were advancing quickly. The rapidly shifting frontlines have left many civilians trapped in the conflict zones, without access to the most basic necessities.

Experts have repeatedly expressed concern that the ongoing violence will leave civilians, especially in Goma, facing severe shortages of essential resources. One of the most pressing concerns is the lack of access to safe drinking water. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Friday that the ongoing conflict had severed access to clean water in Goma. As a result, people in the city have been forced to rely on untreated water from Lake Kivu, posing significant health risks. The reliance on unsafe water sources greatly increases the likelihood of waterborne diseases, which could spread rapidly in such a densely populated area. OCHA has warned that unless urgent action is taken, the risk of disease outbreaks will continue to rise.

The humanitarian situation in Goma is dire, with civilians facing not only the immediate dangers of violence but also the long-term consequences of disrupted access to basic resources. The instability in the region has also led to widespread displacement, as families flee their homes in search of safety. The insecurity has made it difficult for aid organizations to operate effectively, further compounding the suffering of the local population.

As the fighting continues and the humanitarian crisis deepens, the international community is being urged to act quickly to provide assistance to the people of eastern DRC. The challenges of delivering aid in such a volatile environment are immense, but without immediate intervention, the consequences for the civilian population could be catastrophic. The situation in Goma and other parts of North Kivu remains a significant concern, as the conflict shows no signs of abating.