The World Health Organization (WHO) facilitated the delivery of 500 bags of blood and vital medical supplies to Goma on Tuesday, aiming to address the urgent needs of civilians affected by ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Thiemo Balde, WHO’s representative in DRC, confirmed that the humanitarian aid was collected in Kinshasa by the Ministry of Public Health before being transported to the region.
The shipment was received at the Grande Barrière, the border between Goma and Gisenyi, Rwanda, and officially handed over to the North Kivu Blood Transfusion Center’s provincial coordinator, Merveille Rubakare.
Rubakare emphasized the critical need for blood donations in the region, stating, “The arrival of these blood bags is a relief and will be used for hospitals in Goma and Bukavu. Blood is essential for patients in urgent need across North and South Kivu.”
In response to the growing demand for blood, particularly for those wounded in the conflict, the Ministry of Public Health launched a nationwide campaign in January to collect 5,000 bags of blood.
