MONUSCO warns of mass displacement, looting and strained bases in Goma after M23 advance

Vivian Van de Per, a MONUSCO official, told the United Nations Security Council that recent fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has caused large-scale displacement, damaged mission installations and civilian infrastructure, and hindered humanitarian operations.

"The escalating clashes in eastern DRC have resulted in massive displacement," Van de Per said, giving the council figures and describing pressure on facilities near Goma. She said more than 178,000 people fled parts of Kalehe territory after the M23 took control of Minova, and that more than 34,000 of those people are seeking refuge in already overcrowded internally displaced person sites in and around Goma.

The situation has compounded shortages in water, electricity and medical services and increased protection risks for civilians, Van de Per said. "This surge has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation and also a protection situation, overwhelming Goma's infrastructure and compounding challenges related to water, electricity, and medical services," she said.

Van de Per said MONUSCO bases are receiving large numbers of surrendering combatants and civilians seeking refuge but that the bases themselves have come under fire. "Two mortars fell in mission bases and compounds in the last three days," she said, and reported "countless bullets" striking installations. She said looting at the mission warehouse at Goma airport and at the courthouse has further depleted supplies.

The mission also reported damage to camp infrastructure including water tanks, generators and vehicles, and said shortages of food, water, medical supplies, blood and fuel are affecting casualty evacuation and communications. Van de Per said peacekeepers injured during fighting around Sake have faced challenges reaching a level-3 hospital in Goma.

MONUSCO's human rights component, she said, is receiving requests for individual protection measures from human rights defenders and civil-society organizations and is working with partners to try to ensure safety. Van de Per added that MONUSCO is storing voluntarily relinquished or abandoned weapons in accordance with international standards to prevent further proliferation.

She warned that the proliferation of weapons and the looting of military depots raise risks as combatants blend into civilian populations, and said a recent prison breakout in Goma has worsened security concerns. Van de Per also highlighted reports of ethnically motivated violence, including at least one documented lynching in an IDP site and attacks on journalists reported to be linked to perceived ethnic identity.

To address urgent needs, Van de Per called for the opening of humanitarian corridors between Goma, Minova and Kabare (routes named by the mission) to permit resupply, rotation of humanitarian staff and safe movement of civilians, and she appealed for high-level diplomatic engagement to reopen critical airports, border points and access routes. "We stress that military action cannot resolve this conflict. It is imperative that all parties cease hostilities and commit to political dialogue," she said.

Van de Per also told the council that attacks on United Nations peacekeepers are occurring and cautioned that such attacks "may constitute war crimes." She asked member states to prioritize protection of civilians and to support measures that would allow life‑saving humanitarian efforts to continue.

The statement to the council was a briefing rather than a formal Security Council decision; no vote or resolution was recorded in the transcript of this meeting.