Catholic Relief Services is deeply concerned about the ongoing violence and unfolding humanitarian situation in and around the city of Goma in eastern DRC, where CRS operates a sub-office. In response to the situation, CRS has relocated all international staff and is monitoring the safety of 50 national staff that remain in Goma.
Fighting had been escalating over the last several days between government troops and the rebel group known as M23 as they advanced towards Goma, the provincial capital of more than one million people. Rebel fighters seized the town on Tuesday, Nov. 20.
Tens of thousands of Congolese have fled their homes and camps in and around Goma, creating a growing humanitarian emergency. CRS plans to respond to the needs of those displaced by the conflict as soon as the security situation allows.
Meanwhile, CRS’ long-time partner, Caritas Goma, had to suspend its operations in the relief camps around the city and staff are ‘listening to the radio for updates’. “We must wait to see if the M23 rebels make an official statement saying we can begin our work again in a more secure situation,” says Taylor Kakala, Caritas Goma’s Communication officer.
