The recent offensive by the M23 rebellion and Rwandan soldiers, which began on January 23, 2025, has plunged Goma, North Kivu into chaos, leading to widespread violence and confusion.

As of February 5, 2025, United Nations estimates indicate that at least 2,900 fatalities have occurred due to the ongoing conflict.

Vivian van de Perre, the deputy chief of the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, reported that approximately 2,000 bodies have been recovered from the streets of Goma, with an additional 900 in the morgue.

The cemetery at the Institut Technique Industriel in Goma is facing a severe space shortage as heavy machinery is now digging trenches to accommodate the numerous bodies.

Humanitarian sources suggest that the casualty figures may be underestimated, as many bodies remain uncollected in areas that are difficult to access.

The ongoing violence has raised alarms about a potential cholera outbreak in the region, which is already facing endemic conditions.