The ICRC warns of significant risks associated with the ongoing conflict in Goma, DRC, potentially leading to the escape of dangerous pathogens from local laboratories. The organization reports an alarming increase in civilian casualties and a dire humanitarian situation as fighting escalates in the region.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed serious concerns regarding the potential escape of Ebola and other pathogens from a laboratory in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), amid escalating conflict. Patrick Youssef, ICRC’s regional director for Africa, emphasized the critical need to preserve these samples which are at risk due to imminent power outages caused by the ongoing clashes.
During a press conference in Geneva, Youssef highlighted the proximity of the laboratory to the ICRC delegation, underscoring the likelihood of ‘unimaginable consequences’ should the Ebola virus and other pathogens escape due to the violence. He stated that the preservation of these samples is paramount to averting a public health crisis.
Goma has become engulfed in violence since the incursion of M23 fighters and Rwandan forces, displacing half a million individuals in eastern DRC this year alone. The city, housing a significant number of internally displaced persons, is experiencing a surge in civilian casualties as armed conflict intensifies.
ICRC has reported a troubling increase in casualties among civilians, with over 600 wounded individuals treated at facilities in Goma since the start of the month. Myriam Favier, head of the ICRC sub-delegation, noted that severely injured patients are transported by various means, including motorbikes and buses, and some patients are left without adequate space for treatment.
Francois Moreillon, the head of the ICRC’s DRC delegation, indicated that the organization is inundated with calls from those suffering from severe injuries, underscoring the urgent and desperate humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict in the region.
The ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in the eastern city of Goma, has raised alarms about the safety of biological samples held in local laboratories. This situation poses significant public health risks, particularly concerning deadly pathogens like Ebola. The region has faced long-standing violence tied to historical conflicts, contributing to massive displacement and increasing humanitarian needs amid an unstable security environment.
In conclusion, the ICRC is alarmed by the dual crisis of escalating violence in Goma and the potential for biological incidents due to the risks of power outages at local laboratories. As civilians bear the brunt of the conflict, the organization calls for urgent attention to both the humanitarian needs on the ground and the preservation of critical biological samples to prevent a public health disaster.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
