World Vision warns of further displacement in Goma as violent clashes resume

The UN combat brigade established to bring stability to the volatile eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, today fired artillery at M23 rebels threatening the border city of Goma, the UN and Congolese army confirmed.

It was the first clash between the UN’s Force Intervention Brigade and the M23, and it follows shelling of buildings in the city centre yesterday morning.

Frances Charles, the advocacy manager of the charity World Vision’s Eastern DRC region, was at a meeting just five minutes away from where the shells rained down.

“I was immediately aware of the bombardment and concerned that the fighting could escalate. We have already seen intense displacement this year with thousands of families fleeing their homes in the countryside to seek refuge in the relative safety of Goma. With hostilities breaking out within the city, we are likely to see many people having to move on again,” said Charles, who is currently in the World Vision office, awaiting security updates.

The intensity of the fighting led to an exodus of communities in the neighborhoods of Virunga, Mabanga and Majengo, just outside the eastern city of Goma. The shelling from the front lines fell on buildings at the city centre on Thursday morning.

Reports indicate five people have died and dozens injured – some of those who died were from Munigi, 5km from Goma.

Felix Basse, the military spokesman for MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping force,  confirmed: "M23 fired shells south of Muningi, killing a woman and a child of 17 years. Wounded civilians were evacuated to the Heal Africa hospital in Goma.”

The MONUSCO spokesperson also said the peacekeepers have started aerial patrols with two attack helicopters which flew over the axis-Kibati Kibumba Kiwaja-Katale to assess the situation on the ground.