The UN warns of a worsening humanitarian crisis in the DRC as fighting between the army and M23 rebels spreads to Goma, displacing millions and disrupting basic services.

The United Nations has issued an urgent warning regarding the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Conflict between the national army and M23 rebels has escalated to Goma, a city home to about two million residents and internally displaced persons.

During a press briefing on Monday, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, described the situation as “volatile and dangerous.”

“The civilian population in a region already deeply impacted, and where the humanitarian challenges are overwhelming, is facing an extremely high risk of a broader humanitarian disaster,” Lacroix said.

The eastern DRC has been plagued by instability for decades, and the UN has warned that the M23 offensive could trigger a regional conflict.

Currently, nearly 6.5 million people are displaced across the country, including almost 3 million in North Kivu province, where the Goma crisis is unfolding.

“The humanitarian situation in and around Goma is extremely, extremely worrying, with new thresholds of violence and suffering reached today, as active zones of combat have spread to all quarters of the city,” said Bruno Lemarquis, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Resident Coordinator, and Humanitarian Coordinator for the DRC.

Civilians are enduring the worst of the intensifying violence, with hospitals overwhelmed by the growing number of wounded individuals. Basic services, including water, electricity, and internet access, have been severely disrupted.

“Phone networks remain operational, but they are unreliable and hinder effective humanitarian response and coordination,” Lemarquis added.

To safeguard its personnel, the UN mission has begun evacuating staff from Goma “by air and road,” according to Lacroix. Despite these challenges, the UN’s stabilization mission, MONUSCO, continues its work to protect civilians and stabilize the region.

“This includes disarming combatants in accordance with international humanitarian law. Currently, significant numbers of civilians and disarmed combatants are sheltering at various MONUSCO premises,” Lacroix explained.

The United Nations is advocating for temporary humanitarian pauses to enable the safe evacuation of civilians and the delivery of critical aid. It also welcomed the announcement of an African Union Peace and Security Council meeting, stressing the importance of regional collaboration to resolve the crisis.

“We look forward to further engagement by the African Union in efforts to bring about the cessation of hostilities,” said Lacroix. “We count on the AU’s involvement in these efforts.”

Meanwhile, thousands of families continue to flee the Goma region, carrying whatever possessions they can as intense fighting rages around them.