A fire broke out at the Muganga displaced people camp near Goma, Congo, destroying approximately 50 makeshift tents and leaving numerous families without shelter. The United Nations reported that the fire is believed to have started during cooking activities at the camp. This incident occurred following bomb attacks in early May, which resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 18 individuals and injuries to 32 others. The victims of these attacks were predominantly women and children, and the type of explosives used remains unclear.
Displaced individuals residing in the camp shared their harrowing experiences. Anne Marie Nikuze, a 60-year-old woman living in the camp with her children and grandchildren, expressed her devastation at losing her most valuable possessions, including tokens for receiving humanitarian aid. Another resident, Furaha Mulema Mariam, a 42-year-old mother of four, recounted the fear and uncertainty faced by the camp's inhabitants, having narrowly escaped both bomb attacks and the recent fire.
The eastern region of Congo has been plagued by a protracted conflict involving over 100 armed groups vying for land and control of valuable mineral mines. Some groups claim to be defending their communities, but many are implicated in grave human rights violations, including mass killings and sexual violence. This ongoing violence has resulted in the displacement of approximately 7 million people, with thousands seeking refuge in temporary camps like the one that was targeted in the recent fire. Tragically, many others remain beyond the reach of humanitarian assistance, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.
