The ICRC expressed urgent concerns about the risk of pathogen escape from a laboratory in Goma amidst escalating violence. As armed clashes have intensified, civilian casualties have surged, and many are in need of urgent medical care. The situation underscores the potential health crisis and highlights the ongoing humanitarian challenges in the region.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has raised concerns regarding the escalating violence in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, and its potential implications for laboratory containment of dangerous pathogens. Patrick Youssef, ICRC’s regional director for Africa, emphasized the risk of power outages at the national biomedical research institute, which holds Ebola and other pathogen samples.
Youssef warned that any disruption caused by the ongoing clashes could lead to severe consequences if these viral samples were to escape. The laboratory’s proximity to ICRC facilities elevates the urgency of the situation, though no information is available about the security status of other laboratories in the area.
Goma, a strategic city near the Rwandan border, has again become a conflict zone with the arrival of the Tutsi-led M23 militant group. The continuous strife in this mineral-rich region of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in significant internal displacement, with thousands fleeing their homes amidst ongoing violence since the onset of 2023.
Authorities report a concerning increase in civilian casualties as ICRC-supported wards in Goma encounter a surge of gunshot and explosive-related injuries. Since the beginning of the month, ICRC medical facilities have treated over 600 wounded individuals, with a significant number being women and children.
Myriam Favier, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Goma, noted that many victims arrive severely injured and in critical need of assistance. The ICRC has observed the desperate situations of civilians as they struggle to reach medical facilities, while Francois Moreillon, ICRC delegation head, confirmed that they are inundated with pleas for help from countless individuals left vulnerable.
The ongoing conflict in Goma has led to increasing tensions and disruptions which threaten public health safety, especially regarding the containment of infectious diseases. With a history of violence in the region, particularly since the Rwandan genocide, the current humanitarian crisis has resulted in significant displacement and civilian injury. This context heightens the urgency of the ICRC’s concerns regarding the laboratory’s safety amid the resurgence of armed group conflicts.
In summary, the ICRC highlights a critical public health risk in Goma due to the potential release of hazardous pathogens as violence escalates. The humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by the influx of casualties from armed clashes, with many civilians suffering severe injuries. It is imperative that measures are taken to ensure the safety of both the affected populations and the pathogen samples housed in laboratories in the area.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
