Escalation Eastern Congo

In recent days, an outbreak of violence has taken place in and around the metropolis of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

The conflict has been going on for years, and in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, where the new explosion of violence has been felt for several weeks, the death toll is running into the hundreds. 

About 400,000 people are already fleeing the violence. The hospitals in Goma are under immense pressure and can barely handle the influx of wounded. We from Belgian Red Cross-Flanders are making 100,000 euros available to support relief efforts on the ground. People on the run urgently need medical support, shelter, drinkable water and other basic facilities.  

Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is itself active in the West of DR Congo and Rwanda and closely follows the situation in North and South Kivu. We actively support the International Red Cross Committee and the Congolese Red Cross, who are working in eastern Congo under difficult circumstances. They provide medical services, shelter, restoration of water and electricity supplies, and distribution of food and essential basic supplies, among other things. Together with the Rwandan Red Cross, we provide shelter for refugees crossing the border. 

Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is calling for the protection of civilians, health centers and medical personnel to ensure that the affected population has access to essential medical care.