The M23 war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to devastate the North Kivu region, particularly the city of Goma. The fighting between the M23 rebels and government forces has created a humanitarian crisis which is severely affecting the local population, particularly the household basket.
Due to cut roads and the instability created by the war, the supply of food to Goma is greatly disrupted. The villages of Masisi and Rutshuru, which traditionally supplied Goma with agricultural products, are now inaccessible. Likewise, the connection between Goma and the Bunagana transit point, on the border with Uganda, is severely disrupted.
Faced with this situation, the prices of basic necessities have skyrocketed exponentially. The inhabitants of Goma complain about the rise in food prices, which are making their daily lives more and more difficult. A bag of potatoes, for example, has gone from US$50 to US$70 to more than US$100, due to dwindling supplies and rising transportation costs.
This price inflation directly impacts the lives of residents, who now have to face higher expenses for their food. A kilo of potatoes, which previously sold for 1,000 Congolese francs, now reaches nearly 1,750 francs.
But the economic situation in Goma is not just about soaring food prices. The monetary instability reigning on the Congolese market, with an increase in the exchange rate of the US dollar, makes the situation even more precarious. Civil servants are not paid regularly, which impacts their purchasing power and the circulation of money in the local economy.
Civil society in Goma is calling on the government to act quickly to end the war and instability that accompany the conflict. She calls for the recovery of the areas occupied by the M23 rebels, the end of the state of siege in force for two years and the establishment of a state of emergency to help the inhabitants of Goma on a socio-economic level. -economic.
It is essential that the international community realizes the seriousness of the situation in Goma and supports efforts to end the war and humanitarian crisis plaguing the North Kivu region. Goma residents need urgent help to cope with rising prices and rebuild their economy hit hard by the conflict.