DR Congo: UN call to reopen Goma airport ‘lifeline’, as crisis deepens
February 4, 2025
Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo – The United Nations humanitarian chief has called for the immediate reopening of Goma airport, a lifeline for aid operations in the conflict-hit eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The call came as the humanitarian crisis in the region worsens, with an estimated 2.2 million people displaced from their homes and in dire need of assistance.
“The situation in eastern DRC is dire, and the airport in Goma is a lifeline for aid operations,” said UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths. “We urge the authorities to reopen the airport immediately so that we can reach the people who need our help.”
The airport was closed on January 20 after a series of violent clashes between government forces and the M23 rebel group. The fighting has since spread to other parts of North Kivu province, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes.
The closure of the airport has severely hampered the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region. Many aid organizations have been forced to suspend their operations, and those that remain are struggling to reach the people who need assistance.
“The airport closure is a major blow to our efforts to help the people of eastern DRC,” said Griffiths. “We are calling on all parties to the conflict to allow the airport to reopen so that we can continue to provide life-saving assistance.”
The humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC is one of the worst in the world. The region has been plagued by conflict for decades, and the recent fighting has only made the situation worse.
The United Nations estimates that more than 2.2 million people have been displaced from their homes in eastern DRC, and more than 5 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.
The conflict has also had a devastating impact on the local economy. Many businesses have been forced to close, and the price of food and other essential goods has skyrocketed.
The situation is particularly dire for children. Many children have been separated from their families, and they are at risk of violence, abuse, and neglect.
The United Nations is calling for an end to the fighting and for the immediate reopening of Goma airport. The organization is also urging the international community to provide more funding for humanitarian assistance in eastern DRC.
“The people of eastern DRC need our help,” said Griffiths. “We must not abandon them in their time of need.”
DR Congo: UN call to reopen Goma airport ‘lifeline’, as crisis deepens
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