Goma hospitals seek blood donors as conflict overwhelms medical facilities

Hospitals in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, are overwhelmed with patients suffering from gunshot and shrapnel wounds after M23 rebels entered the city on January 26. The UN reports at least 2,900 deaths and thousands injured since the conflict began. Blood donation efforts are increasing as local residents respond to the urgent need for supplies. Hospitals are struggling to treat the influx of wounded, with many patients lying in tents outside due to overcrowding. M23 declared a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons, but fighting resumed shortly after. Regional leaders will meet in Tanzania to discuss the ongoing conflict and its impact on the humanitarian situation in Goma.