Key Takeaways:

• Death toll in Goma, DRC has risen to at least 900 due to recent fighting.
• M23 rebels, backed by Rwandan forces, have seized control of the city amid escalating violence.
• Humanitarian access has been severely disrupted, affecting aid delivery for displaced populations.
• Thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) are fleeing Goma amidst fears of continued conflict.
• Residents express mixed feelings about the new rebel control, with concerns for safety and stability.

Fighting in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, has led to a dramatic increase in the death toll, with the United Nations reporting at least AP News indicating that at least 900 people have died amidst intense confrontations between the Congolese army and the M23 rebels, who are reportedly supported by thousands of Rwandan troops. The World Health Organization confirmed that these fatality figures rose from an earlier estimate of 773 casualties, reflecting the severity of the violence witnessed over five days in late January when the rebels captured Goma.

The humanitarian situation in the city has deteriorated further, as noted by aid organizations, many of which have been hindered in their operational activities due to the unrest. Essential services were severely disrupted, leading to a humanitarian crisis affecting nearly six million displaced individuals across the region. As of the recent UN assessments, nearly 2,900 people suffered injuries during the fighting.

In the wake of the takeover, reports detail a mass exodus from Goma, with more than 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing toward safer areas as the M23 rebels advanced. This week alone, hundreds took to the roads, driven by fear of violence, including incidents of looting, killings, and sexual assaults that have been attributed to both the rebels and Congolese troops. Civilians are left in a precarious situation—some returning to their homes, while others seek refuge in often overcrowded camps that offer little to no resources.

As the fighting concluded, there were mixed sentiments among Goma residents. With M23 now in control, some locals expressed relief over a reduced military presence, while others are apprehensive about future repercussions from ongoing military operations. “We do not know which way to turn and what will become of our future,” said Kubuya Chanceline, a local resident who encapsulated the fear and uncertainty permeating the air.

The situation remains tense as authorities from Kinshasa have vowed to retake Goma. However, experts warn that reclaiming the strategically significant city—situated near an active volcano and bordering Rwanda—will pose significant military challenges. Human rights groups continue to pressure for decisive action against the increasing violence, which they label a “humanitarian catastrophe,” amidst calls from regional leaders for dialogue to restore peace in the district.

The call for international intervention has also been growing, with the possibility of negotiations being put forward as a viable option to curb the chaos in eastern DRC. As the humanitarian crisis deepens, many civilians find solace in the notion of returning to their origins, even if it means facing the dangers that initially forced them to flee.

More updates on the situation are available through The Guardian and Al Jazeera.