A French humanitarian worker with UNICEF was killed alongside two civilians in a devastating drone strike that hit Goma, the largest city in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, as armed conflict continues to ravage the mineral-rich region.
The attack targeted the city that serves as a crucial hub for international aid operations in the volatile North Kivu province, where various armed groups have been fighting for control of territory and resources for decades. The French national was reportedly working on child protection programs when the strike occurred.
Goma, home to over one million residents plus hundreds of thousands of displaced persons, has become increasingly dangerous for humanitarian workers as violence escalates between government forces, rebel groups, and foreign-backed militias. The city sits on the border with Rwanda and has strategic importance for both aid distribution and mineral trade.
This tragic incident highlights the growing risks faced by international aid workers operating in one of the world's most complex humanitarian crises, where over 5 million people have been displaced by ongoing conflicts in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
