Fatshimétrie – November 2024: An overview of the humanitarian crisis in Goma
As of November 2024, the humanitarian situation in Goma remains precarious, particularly for displaced people living in the Rusayo, Bulengo and Lac Vert sites. The World Food Programme (WFP) recently provided cash assistance to more than 268,000 displaced people in these areas, providing temporary relief to a vulnerable population affected by violence and forced displacement.
However, despite these commendable efforts, security remains a major challenge in the region. Violent incidents, such as the clash in Kibumba on 7 November, illustrate the fragility of the situation and highlight the risks to which civilians are exposed. This violence also compromises humanitarian operations, making access to affected populations even more difficult.
The consequences of this instability are being felt tragically, including the loss of a child’s life during an armed incursion in Bulengo, as well as the injuries sustained by another child in Rusayo. These painful events demonstrate the vulnerability of displaced populations, particularly children, who are the most affected by this violence.
Beyond the immediate needs for food and cash, other essential sectors such as education and health are seriously affected by the crisis. The lack of educational infrastructure, with only 71 Temporary Learning Spaces out of the 2,700 required, risks depriving tens of thousands of children of education this year. Similarly, the saturation of latrines in displacement sites represents a major risk to the health and hygiene of populations, jeopardizing their well-being.
Faced with this alarming reality, reinforced and coordinated humanitarian action is essential to meet the urgent needs of vulnerable populations in Goma. Appeals from humanitarian organizations such as OCHA highlight the need for rapid and effective interventions to alleviate the suffering of displaced people and ensure their access to dignified living conditions.
In short, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Goma requires collective mobilization and increased international solidarity to protect the most vulnerable populations and offer them a safer and more stable future. In these times of uncertainty and precariousness, compassion and humanitarian action are more necessary than ever to meet the urgent needs of displaced people and build a better future for all.