DR Congo: help for thousands of people in Goma

07-12-2012 Photo gallery

Following recent events that rocked Goma, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), efforts are ongoing to help the displaced and wounded. An ICRC surgical team is working around the clock to operate on the most seriously wounded patients. More than 300 children who became separated from their families in the turmoil have been registered by the ICRC and the Red Cross Society of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and are being looked after by local associations, transit centres for children and host families. The ICRC is continuing to truck drinking water to places where people have taken refuge and to two hospitals in Goma. Food and essential household items are also being distributed to those who are most in need. This gallery of recent photos shows the terrible conditions endured by the inhabitants of Goma and the ICRC's efforts to help them.

- N’Dosho hospital, Goma. This 12-year-old boy suffered a gunshot wound to the chest on 20 November. He was operated on the following day by the ICRC surgical team in Goma. His mother is propping him up to release abdominal pressure and make it easier for him to breathe.
  © ICRC / T. Glass
- N’Dosho hospital, Goma. A surgeon studies the X-ray of a patient with a gunshot wound to the head before embarking on the delicate operation of removing the bullet.
  © ICRC / T. Glass
$N’Dosho hospital, Goma. An ICRC nurse comforts a patient with a skull fracture caused by a gunshot wound. ICRC surgeons operated to remove the bullet.$
- N’Dosho hospital, Goma. An ICRC nurse comforts a patient with a skull fracture caused by a gunshot wound. ICRC surgeons operated to remove the bullet.
  © ICRC / T. Glass
- N’Dosho hospital, Goma. This man was shot above the ankle with a large calibre weapon. Unfortunately the only option is to amputate his leg. This was very difficult for him to accept: 'How will I earn a living? I have three children to feed, I can't do that if I can't work.' After the amputation, he will be fitted with an artificial leg at the physical rehabilitation centre in Goma supported by the ICRC.
  © ICRC / T. Glass
- Goma. Around 3,500 wives and children of soldiers found themselves in a very vulnerable position when the armed forces pulled out of Goma. These families, who have few resources and many young children to care for, sought refuge in schools, churches and host families.
  © ICRC / T. Glass / cd-e-01498
- Goma. The ICRC has distributed food rations and essentials such as cooking utensils and mattresses to these 3,500 wives and children of soldiers.
  © ICRC / T. Glass / cd-e-01491
- Goma. Following the events of 20 November, more than 20,000 people took refuge in the Don Bosco camp, which usually houses children formerly associated with armed forces or groups and children separated from their families. The ICRC and the National Red Cross register the details of people who have become separated from their loved ones. Thanks to the National Society's network of volunteers, work is under way to trace their relatives and 30 children have already been reunited with their families in Goma and Bukavu.
  © ICRC / T. Glass / cd-e-01490
- Goma. Displaced people who have taken refuge at the Notre Dame d'Afrique centre collect drinking water trucked in by the ICRC. The ICRC makes daily deliveries of up to 100,000 litres of drinking water throughout Goma, including to N'Dosho and Katindo hospitals and to displaced people at Don Bosco camp and here at the Notre Dame d'Afrique centre.
  © ICRC / L. Pasquier / cd-e-01481

DR Congo: help for thousands of people in Goma

07-12-2012 Photo gallery

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