Congo Crisis: rebels take Goma
As the rebel group M23 occupies the town of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we have pledged £100,000 to support people fleeing for safety.
Please pray for peace in Goma>>
The rebels entered the town earlier this morning, taking control of the airports. While CAFOD staff in Goma have been evacuated, we remain in close touch with our long-term Caritas colleagues, and with local church partners. Hundreds of local people are taking refuge in Church buildings, where they are receiving food and shelter. However, they are likely to need a great deal more support over the coming days.
Tens of thousands more people have fled Goma over the last few days, and many are likely to need shelter, water and food as they seek safety. The situation remains extremely volatile, but we have already pledged £100,000 to support our local Church partners as they respond to the crisis.
CAFOD’s Country Representative in DRC, Bernard Balibuno, said last night:
“The humanitarian situation is critical. Thousands of people are fleeing their homes and camps. More than 15,000 people from the Kibumba camp north of Goma have been forced to leave because of the fighting, and are fleeing south towards the towns of Mugunga and Sake with many of Goma’s residents.
“For many previously displaced by fighting, this will be the fourth or fifth time they have had to flee in the last two years. Our long-term partner Caritas Goma has estimated that more than 50,000 people will be in need of humanitarian aid in the coming days. CAFOD is ready to respond to any needs as they arise, alongside our partners Caritas Goma, Caritas Gisenyi and Caritas Bukavu.”
Region could descend into war
M23 is led by two former Congolese army commanders. Fighters belonging to an ex-rebel group, the CNDP, had joined the government army as part of the peace deal in 2009 but defected earlier this year. Clashes have been ongoing since President Joseph Kabila announced that he would try to arrest one of the commanders, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for recruiting child soldiers.
Church leaders in eastern DRC say that without urgent international attention, the region could once again descend into full blown war.
CAFOD has been working in the DRC since 1995, following the Rwanda genocide, responding to emergencies and helping people to rebuild their lives after the civil war. In 2008 the CAFOD appeal responding to the Congo Crisis raised more than £2.4 million to support people in the east of the country who had been displaced by an upsurge in fighting.
