In a region already ravaged by decades of conflict, a devastating fire struck the Muganga displaced persons camp, located near the provincial capital Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
This tragic incident left dozens of families homeless, exacerbating an already critical humanitarian crisis. Let’s go back to the facts and the implications of this new catastrophe.
A camp for displaced people ravaged by flames
On Wednesday afternoon, a fire broke out in the Muganga displaced persons camp, destroying around fifty makeshift tents. According to the United Nations, the fire would have started while cooking food, a constant risk in such precarious living conditions. Anne Marie Nikuze, 60, a displaced person living in the camp, testifies to her distress: “ While I tried to empty the house of my valuables, I could not save what I had most precious: my rooms to receive various humanitarian aid. What little we had also went up in flames. »
A recent past marked by violence
The Muganga camp is unfortunately not its first tragedy. At the beginning of May, it had already been hit by bomb attacks which caused the death of at least 18 people and injured 32 others. Most of the victims were women and children. Furaha Mulema Mariam, 42, mother of four, shares her despair: “ We escaped the recent bomb attacks and now the fire has hit us. The only chance is that it happened during the day, if it had happened at night we would all be dead. »
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A large-scale humanitarian crisis
The eastern region of the DRC is one of the most unstable areas in the world, plagued by armed conflict for decades. More than 100 armed groups are fighting for control of land and precious mineral mines. This results in massacres, rapes and other human rights violations. This violence has displaced around 7 million people, thousands of whom live in temporary camps like Muganga.
Lives precarious and in danger
The displaced people of the Muganga camp, like many others in the DRC, live in extremely precarious conditions. The lack of access to basic services, such as food and health security, makes their daily lives difficult and dangerous. Fires, armed attacks and extreme weather conditions are constant threats. Despite the efforts of humanitarian organizations, needs remain immense and resources limited.
Indispensable solidarity
Faced with this new tragedy, it is essential that the international community intensify its efforts to support the displaced people of the DRC. Access to humanitarian aid must be improved and lasting solutions must be found to end conflicts and allow displaced populations to return to normal lives. The poignant testimonies of the victims of Muganga remind us of the urgency of the situation and the importance of international solidarity.
