UN Urges Reopening of Goma Airport as Crisis Deepens in DR Congo
Goma Airport: A Critical Lifeline
Bruno Lemarquis has emphasized the urgent need to reopen Goma Airport, calling it a “lifeline” for the affected population. “Without it, the evacuation of the seriously injured, the delivery of medical supplies, and the arrival of humanitarian aid workers are completely halted,” he warned.
Escalating Violence and Humanitarian Crisis
Last week, the M23 armed group, backed by Rwandan forces, seized control of Goma Airport as they advanced through the North Kivu regional capital. The fighting has claimed several hundred lives and displaced tens of thousands of people.
According to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), rebels have taken over significant portions of Goma, erecting checkpoints that severely hinder humanitarian efforts. The siege has disrupted essential services, including food, water, and medical aid distribution, leaving up to two million people in desperate need.
Humanitarian workers also face significant access restrictions to displacement camps, preventing them from delivering essential services, such as emergency medical care.
A Race Against Time
Mr. Lemarquis urged all parties to take immediate action to reopen the airport.
“Every hour that passes puts more lives in danger. This is an absolute emergency,” he stressed. “Humanitarian flights must be allowed to resume immediately to ensure the delivery of lifesaving aid.”
“Thousands of lives depend on it.”
Widespread Sexual Violence
Meanwhile, UN Women has raised the alarm over increasing reports of sexual violence and exploitation amid the conflict.
“In a country already scarred by prolonged instability, women and girls are suffering the worst consequences—facing direct attacks as well as increasing threats to their rights, safety, and dignity,” said Sofia Calltorp, Chief of Humanitarian Action at UN Women, during a press briefing in Geneva.
Local women’s organizations have documented widespread sexual violence, forced displacement, and severe shortages in essential social and protection services.
With the crisis worsening, UN Women has called for urgent intervention by both national and international actors to address gender-based violence and ensure justice for survivors.
Destruction and Chaos in Goma
The humanitarian situation in Goma has deteriorated significantly, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Displacement camps have been abandoned and destroyed, while vital infrastructure such as water, sanitation, and healthcare facilities have been severely damaged.
The city has also seen a rise in crime, including vehicle hijackings and looting of humanitarian warehouses belonging to UN agencies and aid organizations.
Although some businesses have resumed operations, schools remain closed, internet services are down, and hospitals are overwhelmed. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of impending outbreaks of diseases like mpox, cholera, and measles due to the deteriorating sanitary conditions.
Crisis Spreads to South Kivu
The violence is also escalating in South Kivu’s Kalehe territory, where ongoing clashes between the Congolese military and M23 rebels since January 25 have displaced thousands.
At least 6,900 people have fled to Bukavu, while others are seeking refuge with host communities. The situation is worsening, with a cholera outbreak spreading due to disrupted healthcare services.
Further compounding the crisis, the recent 90-day suspension of U.S. humanitarian funding is severely affecting food security, sanitation, and relief operations in both North and South Kivu, aid agencies have warned.
Urgent Need for International Response
As the humanitarian disaster deepens, UN officials are calling for swift action to reopen Goma Airport and restore access to essential aid. Without immediate intervention, the lives of thousands of vulnerable people, especially women and children, remain at grave risk.
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