On January 28, 2025, Goma, the capital of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, witnessed a significant escalation in violence as Rwandan-backed M23 rebels announced their control over the city. This development exacerbates an already dire humanitarian situation, with hospitals overwhelmed by casualties from ongoing clashes.
Reports indicate that at least 17 civilians have died, with hundreds injured as fighting continues. The influx of wounded individuals has strained medical facilities, which are struggling with a lack of resources, including water and electricity. Aid organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Committee of the Red Cross, have reported alarming conditions, with hospitals admitting hundreds of patients suffering from gunshot wounds and other trauma.
Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the U.N. humanitarian office, described the situation as extremely worrying, highlighting the presence of dead bodies in the streets and ongoing small arms fire. The Red Cross reported that one of its hospitals received over 100 patients within 24 hours, with many waiting in corridors due to a shortage of beds.
Goma, already home to 600,000 displaced persons, has seen an additional 400,000 arrive since early 2025, bringing the estimated population to around 3 million, half of whom are children, according to Save the Children. The U.N. estimates that there are 6.5 million displaced individuals across the country, with nearly 3 million in North Kivu alone.
The situation is further complicated by blocked access to the city, rendering the airport inoperable for evacuations or humanitarian aid. The U.N. has condemned attacks on medical facilities, including a maternity clinic in Goma.
In response to the crisis, Rwandan President Paul Kagame is scheduled to meet with Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi in an emergency session mediated by Kenya, aimed at halting the violence. The Congolese government has labeled the attacks as a declaration of war by Rwanda, which denies supporting the M23 rebels despite U.N. reports of Rwandan soldiers fighting alongside them.