The intensification of the fighting between the Armed Forces of the DRC and their allies with the March 23 Movement (M23) caused numerous injuries and more than 250 people were hospitalized the day before in the health center, which has a capacity of 147 beds.
The humanitarian coordinator, Bruno Lemarquis, called attention to this situation and said the humanitarian community is working to increase the capacity of the medical structure.
He added that several wounded were transferred to Bukavu, in the province of South Kivu.
The day before, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs issued a statement warning of the urgent need for assistance in the face of the situation of displaced people in North Kivu, both old and new, who are fleeing to areas considered safe.
“Humanitarian sources estimate that at least 34,473 new displaced people were received in sites around Goma between January 6 and 22,” the statement said.
They added that since January 1, 2025, more than 120,000 people have fled the Masisi health zone (Masisi center, Lushebere, Loashi, Bukombo and Katale) and the Kirotshe zone (Mushaki, Shasha, Bitonga, Murambi, Kabingu).
Meanwhile, the security situation in Sake and around Goma is tense due to the continuation of the fighting.
The bomb explosions in Mugunga, Bulengo and Lushagala have created panic and forced many people to flee to Goma, the statement said, adding that the towns surrounding Sake, such as Mubambiro and Nzulo, are gradually being depopulated.
“It is estimated that between 200,000 and 300,000 people are displaced, a provisional estimate given the instability of the situation,” it said, adding that the already difficult humanitarian situation in the province is becoming more complicated.
Also, the bomb explosions in the Nyiragongo area on January 23 caused the death of two civilians and one of the projectiles hit the Bushagara camp for displaced persons, without causing damage, while the other fell near the Mudja camp.
On Saturday, the Congolese army and its allies were fighting M23 rebels on the Kasengesi-Mubambiro axis, around the town of Sake, as well as on the Kanyamahoro, Kibumba axis, in Nyiragongo territory, in North Kivu.
Local sources told Radio Okapi that the explosions of heavy and light weapons were heard almost all night on Friday by the inhabitants of Goma and continued until today, increasing panic in the city.
On the Kibumba side, north of Goma, the DRC Armed Forces again thwarted this morning an attempt by the insurgents to attack their strategic positions in Kanyamahoro and Kilima-Nyoka, in the Buhumba group.
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