In DRC, the fear is compounded by the trauma of recent fighting. Nearly four months after M23 seized control of Goma, residents are showing signs of post-traumatic stress.

Goma

Residents in Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), are exhibiting signs of post-traumatic stress following recent violence in the city. Nearly four months after the M23 rebel group seized control of the area, locals continue to struggle with the psychological aftermath of the conflict.

Individuals like Gaspard, a young entrepreneur, report ongoing feelings of fear and insecurity. He described experiencing panic at sudden noises and recounted traumatic events, including witnessing explosions and casualties during clashes between Rwandan troops, M23 fighters, and Congolese forces.

Many residents either witnessed violence firsthand or were subjected to sexual violence. In response, some have begun to seek support at new counselling centres. Gloria, not her real name, shared that after multiple consultations and medication, she has found some relief from the anxiety and insomnia she experienced.

The demand for psychological support remains high. Psychologists at the local centre report between five and ten new patients daily. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Red Cross operate three counselling centres in Goma, but this is not considered sufficient for a city of over a million inhabitants. Staff have highlighted the need for additional support services, given the scale of need.

Currently, there are no official figures on the number of people suffering from post-traumatic stress in North Kivu province. Nevertheless, psychological support is seen as a critical requirement for communities in the violence-affected region, where trauma often goes unaddressed.



In DR Congo's Goma, residents display signs of post-traumatic stress

Gaspard, a young entrepreneur, is recycling plastic bottles. He looks intent on his work, but his mind is preoccupied with the violence that occurred in Goma in late January, when Rwandan troops and fighters from the M23 rebel group clashed with Congolese soldiers and their allies on the streets of his neighbourhood. I've developed a feeling of insecurity and of fear, and as soon as there's a little noise, I panic. What traumatised me is when bombs exploded in some of the houses in the neighbourhoods, and we saw some bodies cut in pieces. You had to pick up the pieces to bury the person. Gaspard is showing signs of trauma. He's not alone. Many in Goma were direct witnesses to the fighting, or subjected to sexual violence. Seeking help, some are turning to this new counselling centre, hoping to find a sympathetic ear and to heal invisible wounds. Gloria, an assumed name, has already had six consultations. When I started treatment here, I couldn't even express myself. I had a lot of thoughts in my head that tormented me and prevented me from sleeping. With the medication and counselling, I feel a lot better. Psychologists at the counselling centre take back-to-back appointments. Between five and ten new patients arrive every day. The ICRC and the Red Cross have three counselling centres for the city of Goma, but that's not enough, because it's a city of more than a million inhabitants. So if a lot of people come, the staff will be overwhelmed. So it's better to increase the number of counselling points. There are no figures for the number of people suffering from post-traumatic stress in the province of North Kivu. But psychological support is a critical need in violence-torn eastern Congo, where trauma is largely taboo.

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