30/01 • GOMA

Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has become the epicentre of a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with the provincial capital, Goma, a city of over 2 million, at its heart.

An offensive by the M23 rebels, one of more than 100 militias operating near the borders of Rwanda and Uganda, has caused mass displacement, civilian casualties and a failure of essential services. 

M23 are an armed group of over 8000 fighters, formed to protect Congolese Tutsi and other minorities from Hutu rebel groups after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis.  

The emergency has left hospitals in Goma overwhelmed by the influx of wounded people with electricity and water supplies compromised. “There are currently hundreds of people in hospital, most admitted with gunshot and shrapnel wounds, with secondary infections becoming a health risk,” said Dr Adelheid Marschang, WHO Emergency Response Coordinator for the DRC.

There are reports of bodies in the streets, widespread looting, and attacks on health facilities. A recent bombing of a neonatal ward has made it clear that not even the lives of newborns and their families are spared from this indiscriminate conflict. Many victims are children injured by heavy artillery in densely populated areas. The deluge of patients has spilled out into the hospital parking lot where the International Committee of the Red Cross has set up triage centres. Numerous people are unable to even access medical aid due to blocked supply routes and looted warehouses.  

Displacement camps have also become a tragic norm for the people of eastern DRC, with an estimated 400,000 fleeing violence in 2025 alone. With these areas being constantly shelled, hundreds are forced even further from their homes. 

Goma’s essential services and infrastructure has also been crippled. Power and water outages, blocked roads, and an unusable airport have restricted access to outside aid. Without basic human necessities like food, water, and shelter, families are facing a terrifying future, and this has led to rising public anger.  

In the capital, Kinshasa, protests against the conflict have escalated, targeting U.N. premises and embassies. Regional tensions are also spiralling, with Congo accusing Rwanda of supporting M23 rebels. Rwanda denies this, however, international bodies have acknowledged the claims.  

The U.N., African Union, and East African Community have responded to the call for immediate action by urging peace talks and a ceasefire and respect for DRC’s territorial integrity. The Rt Revd Martin Gordon, Bishop of the Anglican Church in Goma (who has recently evacuated Goma along with other peacekeepers) has echoed and endorsed the joint “Goma Call for Peace”, urging the international community to act immediately and decisively for peace in Eastern DRC.

Civilians, particularly children, are bearing the brunt of this violence, and their voices must not go unheard. Compassion, international solidarity, and urgent intervention are the critical resources we must invest in to protect lives and secure peace in Congo. 

PRAYER POINTS:

• We pray for messages of hope and peace to reach those affected by conflict, to come not just in the form of external change but internal change as well.
• We pray that the displaced, the wounded and those suffering from violence are lifted up and provided for with food, water and shelter. Let God’s love be evident through these acts of mercy.
• We pray for stability and justice. For God to banish the corruption from East Congo and move international fervour to advocate for those vulnerable and in dire need of respite.