The Democratic Republic of Congo’s health ministry has reported a devastating toll from the recent offensive by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in the eastern city of Goma.
As of January 30, hospital morgues were overflowing with 773 bodies, while more corpses lay unattended on the streets. The ministry also recorded 2,880 wounded between January 26 and 30.
The Tutsi-led M23 rebels seized Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo, on Tuesday, and have since moved towards Bukavu in South Kivu.
However, they were held up on Friday by Congolese troops supported by Burundi’s army.
The latest escalation has exacerbated a long-standing humanitarian crisis, driving hundreds of thousands to seek shelter in Goma.
Humanitarian organizations have struggled to operate amidst the violence, with Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) reporting a severe shortage of medical supplies and the World Food Programme evacuating staff and suspending activities.
The situation remains dire, with security concerns limiting access to parts of the city.
However, daily life is slowly resuming, with power and water partially restored, schools reopening, and markets restarting, albeit with scarce food supplies.
