By Taylor Toeka Kakala
Goma in the troubled east of the Democratic Republic of Congo was shelled again this week despite the UN peacekeeping force (MONSUCO) putting a security perimeter around the city.
M23 rebels and government forces accused each other for the renewal in fighting in North Kivu, after a month long gap. Exchanges of fire continued around Kanyaruchinya, Mutaho and Kibati, north of Goma.
The shells landed in a residential area killing three children and two adults. Fighting since July 14th has forced about 5000 people from their homes. Caritas Goma says they need food, shelter and mainly household items like cooking pots.
North Kivu is home to 967,000 people forced from their homes. It’s a third of the total number of 2.6 million people forced to flee because of the cyclic violence.