ICRC Warns of Potential Virus Escape Amid Goma Conflict
The ICRC raised concerns about the potential release of Ebola and other viral samples due to fighting in Goma. The laboratory faces risks of power cuts, while medical facilities are overwhelmed with casualties from the violence. Heavy civilian impacts are being reported amid the resurgence of armed groups.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed significant concern regarding the conflict in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The ongoing fighting poses a risk of losing control over samples containing hazardous pathogens, including the Ebola virus, held at a national biomedical research laboratory. Patrick Youssef, the ICRC’s Africa regional director, emphasized the critical need to maintain the integrity of these samples amidst escalating violence and potential power shortages in the lab.
The conflict in eastern DRC, particularly in Goma, has intensified with the resurgence of armed groups, such as the Tutsi-led M23 faction. This region has historically experienced violence since the 1994 Rwandan genocide, resulting in widespread displacement and ongoing turmoil. The ICRC has reported that approximately half a million individuals have been displaced from their homes since the beginning of the year, and the city of Goma itself is accommodating over 700,000 internally displaced persons who are in dire need of assistance.
The ICRC is urgently calling for increased attention to the safety of viral samples in the Goma laboratory and the well-being of civilians caught in the crossfire. The alarming rise in injured individuals requires immediate medical response efforts, given the gruesome nature of the injuries inflicted during the clashes. Humanitarian organizations are striving to provide critical support, yet the situation remains precarious as fighting continues to escalate in the region.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
