As the conflict in eastern Congo escalates, the medical aid organization Doctors Without Borders is urging the protection of hospitals and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to supply the civilian population. The organization is calling on all conflict parties to “protect” civilians and medical facilities, said Christian Kratzer, the head of Doctors Without Borders in Germany, to the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” (Thursday editions).
“We also need unhindered access to the affected population for humanitarian and life-saving measures” Kratzer stated, citing the grave humanitarian needs of the people due to the fighting, which is accompanying the rebel group M24’s advance on the provincial capital of Goma.
Among the wounded are many civilians. Thousands of people have sought shelter outside of Goma in facilities run by Doctors Without Borders, Kratzer added.