The ICRC warns of potential health risks from the ongoing fighting in Goma, DR Congo, where a biomedical research lab holds dangerous pathogens, including the Ebola virus. The violence has already led to significant civilian casualties, with over 600 wounded treated at local facilities. The current humanitarian crisis underscores the urgent need for medical and humanitarian assistance in the region.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has raised concerns regarding the precarious situation in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). The ongoing fighting poses a significant risk of power interruptions at the national biomedical research laboratory, which houses samples of dangerous pathogens, including the Ebola virus. Patrick Youssef, ICRC’s regional director for Africa, emphasized the potential catastrophic consequences should these samples escape during the ongoing conflict.
The escalating violence in Goma, now marked by clashes between the Tutsi-led M23 armed group and Rwandan forces, has severely impacted the city, which is home to about one million residents, including 700,000 internally displaced individuals. The ICRC reported a substantial increase in civilian casualties, with over 600 wounded patients treated at ICRC-supported facilities recently, highlighting the urgency of medical and humanitarian assistance. Myriam Favier, head of ICRC sub-delegation in Goma, described the dire conditions in local hospitals, where space constraints forced some injured individuals to lie on the floor.
This region has a long history of conflict, dating back to the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, characterized by violent strife among various armed groups supported by regional actors. The UN refugee agency reported that, since the beginning of the year, approximately half a million individuals have been displaced due to the ongoing unrest in eastern DR Congo. The current situation poses an enormous threat to vulnerable civilians already enduring the consequences of protracted violence.
The ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has been exacerbated by the resurgence of armed groups such as the M23 faction, which has reignited violence in and around Goma. The ICRC’s alarm over the biomedical lab reflects broader concerns regarding public health in conflict zones, where violence can disrupt the infrastructure necessary for managing infectious diseases. The presence of hazardous pathogens in laboratories close to conflict regions poses a crippling risk to both local and international communities, especially in light of historical outbreaks of Ebola in the region.
In summary, the violence in Goma poses an immense risk to public health and safety by threatening the integrity of a laboratory housing dangerous viral samples. Alongside this, the humanitarian crisis continues to unfold with significant civilian casualties. Urgent steps are needed to address the medical and safety concerns stemming from this conflict, emphasizing the need for international support and intervention to safeguard vulnerable populations and prevent potential outbreaks.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
