UN warns of humanitarian catastrophe as fighting engulfs Goma; three peacekeepers killed

United Nations officials said heavy fighting around Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has displaced civilians, damaged health facilities and left three UN peacekeepers dead, as the mission temporarily moved nonessential staff and urged a rapid cessation of hostilities.

The UN's Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, said the situation in and around Goma is "very, very fluid" and confirmed that "three peacekeepers have been killed — one from Uruguay and two from the Republic of South Africa" and that 12 others were injured. He said the mission had begun temporarily relocating personnel and dependents from Goma by air and road and that relocations were continuing.

The humanitarian coordinator and deputy special representative to the UN mission in the DRC, Bruno Lemarquis, described the situation as "extremely, extremely worrying," saying active combat had spread across neighborhoods and that "several shells struck the maternity hospital in central Goma, killing and injuring civilians including newborn and pregnant women." He said hospitals were overwhelmed despite support from Médecins Sans Frontières and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Why it matters: the fighting follows a rapid advance by the M23 rebel movement and fighting involving FARDC elements and other armed groups, raising the risk of a broader humanitarian…