The thorny issue of the presence of refugees in the city of Goma, located in the province of North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is a current subject that deserves to be addressed with sensitivity and rigor. Indeed, according to the latest data made public by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the province of North Kivu currently hosts more than 163,000 refugees, among whom around 2,000 have taken up residence in Goma.
It is interesting to note that these refugees, mostly of Rwandan and Burundian origin, are integrated into the local community, whether in urban or rural areas. Unlike some countries where refugees are grouped together in camps, in North Kivu they live among the local population, which promotes their integration and helps to alleviate the stigma associated with their status as refugees.
Nathalie Bussien, head of the UNHCR interim sub-delegation in Goma, underlines the importance of this integration and specifies that the local community welcomes the refugees in a warm and supportive manner. This reality, often ignored by the general public, testifies to the capacity of local populations to show empathy and openness towards those who have fled their country in search of safety and dignity.
Furthermore, the refugee situation in the DRC is not limited to North Kivu, as the country also hosts refugees from other neighboring countries such as the Central African Republic, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan. Angèle Dikongue Atanganga, UNHCR representative in the DRC, recalls that more than 526,000 refugees have found refuge in the country, which underlines the importance of international solidarity and regional cooperation to address this humanitarian crisis.
In conclusion, the refugee issue in Goma and the DRC as a whole is a major issue that requires a concerted and humanitarian approach. It is essential to raise public awareness of the reality of refugees, promote their harmonious integration into host communities and support the efforts of international organizations and local governments to guarantee their protection and well-being. It is only through solidarity and mutual respect that we can build a better future for all, without exclusion or discrimination.