A recent surge in violence across eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has triggered a dire humanitarian emergency marked by loss of life, widespread trauma, and the decimation of critical health infrastructure. As fighting intensifies, millions of people face mounting displacement and limited access to essential medical care.

Since January 26, the escalating violence around Goma in North Kivu has overwhelmed hospitals and morgues alike. Officials report that 3,082 individuals have been injured and 843 have died across 31 health facilities in and around Goma. In South Kivu, the situation is similarly alarming, with 65 injuries documented at three hospitals as violence spreads further south. Health experts warn that these figures are likely to rise as more injured individuals reach medical centers and uncollected bodies are recovered from the streets.

The destruction of health facilities is widespread. In North Kivu, over 70 facilities—about 6 percent of the region’s total—have been affected, with some completely destroyed and others struggling to resume operations. Damage extends to ambulances and even a WHO-supported clinic, which was temporarily occupied by armed groups. Health workers, many forced to flee or work under relentless pressure, face dwindling resources as supplies necessary for cleaning, disinfecting, and treating patients run dangerously low.

Beyond the immediate trauma of violence, routine health services have collapsed. Treatments for chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension have been disrupted, while mental health services suffer as staff are either overburdened or absent. The already high risk associated with pregnancy and childbirth has worsened, as pregnant women are unable to access safe delivery services due to the insecurity. Experience in the region suggests that during intense periods of violence, the rate of births attended by skilled health workers can drop to near zero.

Infectious diseases add another layer of complexity to the crisis. With water supplies in Goma disrupted and residents forced to resort to lake water, the risk of cholera has surged. Nearly 600 suspected cholera cases and 14 deaths were recorded in North Kivu between January 1 and January 27. Other threats, including malaria, measles, meningitis, mpox, and tuberculosis, now loom large. South Kivu has emerged as the epicenter of an ongoing mpox outbreak, which led the WHO Director-General to declare a public health emergency of international concern last August. The ongoing conflict has disrupted efforts to treat mpox patients, with reports that 90 percent of patients in isolation units in Goma fled for safety, making it nearly impossible to provide proper care.

The violence has also exacerbated an already critical food security situation. One in four people in the region was facing emergency levels of hunger prior to the recent escalation, a situation that is expected to worsen as displacement increases. With over 2 million residents in Goma—including 700,000 displaced by the crisis—living in temporary settlements, malnutrition and disease now form a vicious cycle that particularly endangers children and vulnerable women.

A rapid assessment conducted in 10 healthcare facilities around Goma has revealed a disturbing rise in gender-based violence. At least 45 cases of rape among displaced populations have been documented, along with 21 survivors of gang rape admitted to hospitals. These incidents represent only a fraction of the abuse, and survivors are in desperate need of comprehensive medical care, psychological support, and assistance in rebuilding their livelihoods.

In response to the escalating crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) has maintained a robust presence on the ground. Emergency medical supplies, hygiene and water treatment products, and tents to expand hospital capacity by 1,000 beds have been deployed. However, supplies are depleting rapidly, and additional resources are urgently needed. WHO is preparing further deliveries through an effort led by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), but progress depends critically on the urgent reopening of the Goma airport—a vital logistical hub. Alternative supply routes are also under exploration.

Efforts to control the mpox outbreak have faced setbacks, with vaccinations in Goma resuming only on February 5 after a 10-day pause due to the volatile security situation. Meanwhile, the recent decision by the United States to freeze foreign aid is significantly impacting relief operations. Last year, the US accounted for up to 70 percent of the country’s humanitarian response funding and pledged a million vaccine doses to global mpox efforts. Although WHO’s interventions rely on contributions from the European Union, United Kingdom, and its own Contingency Fund for Emergencies, the reduction in overall aid threatens to worsen the health crisis.

To date, WHO has spent US$600,000 on immediate health needs, including provisions for safe and dignified burials. However, experts estimate that the full response will require US$50 million. WHO urgently calls for unhindered humanitarian access, the protection of health workers and facilities, and an end to attacks on healthcare. In a region plagued by violence and suffering, the international community is urged to act swiftly to restore peace and provide the necessary support to protect the lives and dignity of those affected.