The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned of “unimaginable consequences” if samples of Ebola are leaked after Rwanda-backed rebels captured large parts of Goma
Fears are growing of an Ebola outbreak as rebels fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo could release samples of the deadly virus from a local laboratory.
Rwanda-backed rebels captured large parts of Goma, the biggest city in eastern Congo, including its airport, today and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned of “unimaginable consequences” if samples of Ebola, and other viruses, are leaked. Patrick Youssef, humanitarian organisation’s regional director of the Red Cross, admitted they are “very concerned about the situation in the laboratory of the national biomedical research institute, which is facing a risk of power cuts, as well as a question of preserving the samples that may be affected by the clashes.”
The aid agency has also warned that future attacks on infrastructure such as water and electricity could increase the possibility of multiple viruses spreading, including Ebola and Cholera. It come as the M23 group, one of about 100 armed factions vying for a foothold in eastern Congo in one of Africa’s longest conflicts, displaced 4.5 million people and is creating what the U.N. called “one of the most protracted, complex, serious humanitarian crises on Earth.”
The rebels’ offensive in the region, which contains trillions of dollars in mineral wealth, escalated in recent weeks, sending additional hundreds of thousands fleeing their homes and displacement camps. About 300,000 people sheltering in camps on Goma’s outskirts fled into the city as front lines moved over the weekend, according to the U.N., only to find themselves trapped by the violence once again as rebels entered the city.
With the ongoing fighting, the airport closed and roads blocked, aid groups said that they were unable to provide lifesaving support to those in need. “World Vision, which has been supporting people living in Goma … and in the long-term displacement camps in and around the city, has suspended its aid operations due to armed group and Congolese Army operations that have shuttered roads and supply lines,” said David Munkley, head of operations in eastern Congo for the Christian aid group World Vision.
Medical facilities are at double their capacity. The main hospital in Goma treating the wounded, run by the International Committee of the Red Cross, is stretched beyond its limits, with tents set up in its courtyard to accommodate civilians wounded by bullets and heavy artillery, its staff said on Tuesday.
“The wounded are transported by motorbike, others by bus, or with the help of Congolese Red Cross volunteers,” said Myriam Favier, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Goma. “Civilians arrive seriously wounded by bullets or shrapnel. The entire hospital is mobilized and the three surgical teams work tirelessly to treat patients who are sometimes lying on the floor due to lack of space.”
Humanitarian workers and medical staff are targets themselves. ICRC medical warehouse was looted, and their staff and ambulance were shot at. Save the Children’s office in Goma was hit by an explosion on Tuesday, the group said.