** Goma in shock: when war is invited in places of care **
On the night of February 28 to March 1, Heal Africa Hospital in Goma, a bastion of hope for thousands of patients, was the scene of a shocking foray. Fighters from the Rebel M23 group, armed to the teeth, entered it in search of military wounded, sowing panic among patients and nursing staff. This tragic event not only raises humanitarian issues, but also calls into question security in a context where care places should remain untouchable.
### The nature of hostilities: one incident among many
To contextualize this incident in the dynamics of the armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), it is essential to consider the growing frequency of such human rights violations. Over the past decade, more than a hundred attacks have been identified against hospitals in conflict areas, reflecting an alarming trend. According to studies by the Office for the Coordination of UN Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), at least 160 attacks were documented in the country just in 2022, showing an escalation of violence targeting civil infrastructure, including health establishments.
The choice of Heal Africa Hospital as a target is based on a perverse war logic: the extraction of alleged soldiers from the other camp to deprive them of care. This strategy illustrates the dehumanization which accompanies prolonged conflicts, where even the sanctuaries of healing are transformed into fronts of confrontation. This phenomenon is not isolated from the DRC; Around the world, the principle of the protection of hospitals is often flouted, as evidenced by recent conflicts in Syria and Yemen.
### Psychological reports and impacts
The testimonies collected in the aftermath of the attack revealed the extent of the terror experienced by patients and staff. Weaken patients, worried relatives, and a nursing staff already experienced by the emotional charge found themselves trapped between the balls. These traumatic events have consequences far beyond the immediate incident. Studies in psychology have shown that the experiences of violence lived in places initially perceived as safe can lead to post-traumatic stress disorders, anxious disorders, and even a recalibration of security perceptions within the community.
The effect on public health as a whole can be catastrophic. The fear of frequenting hospitals or asking for medical help can dissuade people from accessing the necessary care, exacerbating public health problems which are already critical in this region marked by persistent armed conflicts.
### Reactions and reflection on humanitarian law
The attack on Heal Africa Hospital has aroused reactions at different levels, fueling an already existing debate on respecting international conventions in terms of humanitarian law. The United Nations General Assembly has repeatedly deplored systematic violations of care access rights, but the concrete repercussions of these declarations are often insufficient. The limited scope of sanctions against armed groups complicates the situation, suggesting that impunity remains the norm, not the exception.
Such a situation also raises a question on the role of local and international actors in terms of civil protection. Humanitarian organizations, although on the front line to provide care, often find themselves unable to guarantee the safety of their teams. In Goma, for example, local NGOs report having been forced to reduce their operations due to the growing threat of violence, which further aggravates the humanitarian crisis.
### Towards a global awareness
The crisis in Goma should not be perceived as an isolated incident, but as a call for urgent awareness on the devastating consequences of conflicts on the health system. The international community, as well as the states concerned, are responsible for reaffirming their commitment to the protection of health infrastructure. It is imperative to provide collective pressure to eradicate human rights violations, not only through speech, but by concrete actions and surveillance mechanisms.
To this end, a reinforced commitment in awareness programs concerning international humanitarian law could prove to be crucial. Educators, health players and community officials must play an active role in promoting the sacredness of places of care and strengthening the resilience of populations in the face of violence.
In conclusion, the attack on Heal Africa hospital in Goma is not just yet another tragic episode in an already long and painful conflict; This is a revealer of the contemporary challenges that the international community must take up in respect of humanitarian standards. It is time to adopt a holistic approach, integrating security, public health and respect for human rights, in order to guarantee a future where places of healing will no longer be the scene of horror. Fatshimetrie.org should, like many media, be committed to following the evolution of this situation, thus helping to shed light on a crisis that is too often ignored.