**Intense fighting in the DRC: the humanitarian situation in Goma requires immediate intervention**
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is once again facing a situation of violence and instability, as fighting intensifies in the east of the country between the Congolese army and fighters of the March 23 Movement ( M23). This escalation of hostilities endangers thousands of civilians caught in the middle of the clashes.
Amnesty International has launched an urgent appeal to the Congolese authorities to protect and assist these vulnerable populations. Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, underlines the urgency of the situation. It calls for an end to attacks against civilians, and for immediate humanitarian assistance for the more than a million people displaced in and around the city of Goma.
The recent conflict in North Kivu led to the capture of several towns by the M23 group, accentuating the distress of local populations. The violence has already caused the deaths of at least 35 civilians and forced more than 135,000 people to flee their homes. The region is once again plunged into chaos, requiring a rapid and coordinated response to protect civilians and meet their urgent humanitarian needs.
Faced with this alarming situation, States and international organizations must review their approach and intensify efforts to end this cycle of violence and instability in the DRC. Humanitarian access to affected populations must be guaranteed, and concrete measures must be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of civilians.
It is crucial that the international community mobilizes to support civilian protection and humanitarian assistance efforts in the DRC. The population of Goma is in dire need of help to deal with this crisis, and every day counts to save lives and relieve the suffering of the most vulnerable.
The situation in the DRC is a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and security in the region, and of the need for collective and determined action to end conflicts and protect civilian populations. Acting now is crucial to avoid a large-scale humanitarian catastrophe and to ensure a safer and more stable future for all people in the region.
*We invite you to consult the following articles to deepen your understanding of the situation in the DRC:*
– [Article 1: The humanitarian crisis in the DRC: a call to action](link)
– [Article 2: The political issues behind the fighting in eastern DRC](link)
– [Article 3: The challenges of humanitarian assistance in Goma](link)
Together, let us act to protect civilians in the DRC and promote peace and stability in the region.