Hospitals Overwhelmed in DR Congo, Food Running Out: Goma Faces ‘Devastation’
January 30, 2025
Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – Hospitals in the eastern Congolese city of Goma are struggling to cope with an influx of patients as Mount Nyiragongo, one of Africa’s most active volcanoes, continues to erupt.
The eruption, which began on Saturday, January 28, has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and destroyed homes, schools, and hospitals. According to the United Nations, over 100,000 people have fled Goma and surrounding areas.
Thousands of people have sought refuge in neighboring Rwanda, while others have fled to safer areas within DRC. The situation in Goma is dire, with hospitals overwhelmed and food and water running out.
“The hospitals are completely overwhelmed,” said Dr. Innocent Bamurange, a doctor at Virunga General Hospital in Goma. “We have hundreds of patients coming in with burns, respiratory problems, and other injuries.”
“We are running out of beds, supplies, and staff,” he added. “The situation is critical.”
In addition to the influx of patients, hospitals are also struggling with power outages and water shortages. The eruption has damaged electrical grids and water pipes, leaving many hospitals without basic services.
“We are having to perform surgeries in the dark,” said Dr. Bamurange. “It is very difficult and dangerous.”
The food situation is also becoming increasingly dire. Food warehouses have been destroyed in the eruption, and supply routes have been cut off. Many people in Goma are going hungry, and there are fears of a food crisis.
“We are running out of food,” said Jeannette Mussafiri, a resident of Goma. “We have not eaten anything for days.”
The UN has appealed for urgent international assistance to help the people of Goma. The World Food Programme (WFP) is providing food aid, while the World Health Organization (WHO) is sending medical supplies and personnel.
“The situation in Goma is devastating,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. “We are doing everything we can to help, but we need more support from the international community.”
The eruption of Mount Nyiragongo is a major humanitarian disaster. Hospitals are overwhelmed, food is running out, and hundreds of thousands of people are homeless. Urgent international assistance is needed to prevent a further loss of life and suffering.
Hospitals overwhelmed in DR Congo, food running out: Goma faces ‘devastation’
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