The article from The New York Times by Caleb Kabanda and Ruth Maclean discusses the dire situation in Goma after the takeover by Rwanda-backed rebels (M23 militia). Following intense fighting, Goma, a city of two million in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is experiencing a humanitarian crisis marked by a shortage of water, food, and medical supplies. The Congolese military has collapsed, leaving civilians, many of whom are displaced, to fend for themselves amidst chaos and uncertainty. The M23 rebels are rapidly expanding their control and have expressed ambitions to seize the entire country, worsening the fears of the population. Captured Congolese soldiers express anger toward their leadership for abandonment, while civilians search forlornly for missing family members and essential resources.

Key Points:

• Goma has been taken over by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels after a week of fighting.
• The city faces critical shortages of water, food, and medical care; hospitals are overflowing.
• Internally displaced persons are particularly vulnerable, with many families separated during the chaos.
• Captured Congolese soldiers express frustration and blame their leadership for abandoning them.
• The M23 rebels aim to expand their control beyond Goma, threatening further unrest in the region.
• Civilian distress is palpable, as people strive to find basic necessities and locate lost family members.
  Link to Article