Red Cross Raises Concerns Over Lab Safety Amid Goma Conflict

The Red Cross has raised alarms about the potential escape of Ebola samples from a laboratory in Goma due to ongoing fighting. The ICRC is concerned about power cuts that could jeopardize the preservation of these pathogens. The intensified conflict has resulted in significant civilian casualties, with hospitals overwhelmed by injured individuals. The situation remains critical as humanitarian needs escalate amidst the violence.

The Red Cross has expressed significant concern over the potential dangers stemming from ongoing hostilities in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) worries that violence in the area could lead to the escape of highly infectious pathogens, including samples of the Ebola virus, currently stored in a nearby laboratory. Patrick Youssef, the ICRC’s regional director for Africa, emphasized the immediate threat posed by possible power outages which could compromise the integrity of these critical samples.

Youssef conveyed the gravity of the situation during a press conference in Geneva, underscoring the dire consequences should any pathogens escape the facility. He pointed out that the laboratory is in close proximity to the ICRC delegation in Goma, though he lacked information on the security status of other laboratories in the vicinity. The conflict over Goma intensified when Tutsi-led M23 insurgents and Rwandan troops advanced into the city, escalating tensions in an already volatile region.

Goma is located in eastern DRC, an area rife with conflict involving various armed factions, often influenced by regional dynamics since the catastrophic events of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. According to the UN refugee agency, over half a million individuals have been displaced in this ongoing turmoil, with Goma alone sheltering approximately 700,000 internally displaced people, significantly straining local resources.

As the fighting escalates, the ICRC has reported a startling increase in civilian casualties, noting a substantial influx of individuals injured by gunfire and explosive devices at medical facilities it supports, such as Goma’s CBCA Ndosho hospital. The organization disclosed that over the past month, it has treated more than 600 injured individuals, with nearly half being civilians, many of whom are women and children.

Myriam Favier, the head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Goma, detailed the troubling condition of the injured, stating that many arrived gravely wounded with limited space available in hospitals. Furthermore, Francois Moreillon, head of the ICRC’s DRC delegation, reported receiving numerous distress calls from those in need of urgent medical help, highlighting the profound human suffering caused by the ongoing violence in the region.

The situation in Goma, a city in eastern DRC, has escalated due to renewed fighting between armed groups, particularly the Tutsi-led M23 faction and Rwandan forces. This instability has led to concerns not only for civilian safety but also for potential biohazard risks. Laboratories in the area, including one that houses samples of the Ebola virus, are at risk of being compromised in the chaos. The conflict has already resulted in widespread displacement and numerous casualties, drawing the attention of humanitarian organizations like the ICRC.

In conclusion, the ICRC’s warnings reflect the dual threat posed by violent conflict and the risk of biological hazards in Goma. With civilians suffering severe injuries and the integrity of critical scientific samples at risk, international attention is imperative. Effective measures must be implemented to safeguard health facilities and protect affected populations from the consequences of worsening violence.

Original Source: www.lemonde.fr