Until recently, Lomera was a quiet lakeside village in South Kivu, DRC, largely unknown to the wider population. However, this changed dramatically in December when gold was discovered in the surrounding hills. Within a matter of months, the village’s population skyrocketed from 1,500 to over 12,000 people. The once serene area transformed into a sprawling hub of mineshafts and makeshift shelters, drawing a multitude of prospectors and miners eager to stake their claim in the new gold rush.
The population surge is further exacerbated by the ongoing instability in the region, driven by clashes between the M23/AFC armed group, the Congolese army (FARDC), and their Wazalendo militia allies. This insecurity has not only driven many to Lomera in search of economic opportunity, but also contributed to poor infrastructure and limited public services, which have worsened the living conditions for those who have arrived.
One of the most concerning consequences of this rapid influx of people is the outbreak of cholera. The overcrowding, combined with inadequate sanitation, has created the perfect conditions for the disease to spread rapidly. There is little access to clean water, open defecation is common on the hills, and waste management systems are practically nonexistent. These factors have combined to fuel the outbreak, which has grown at an alarming rate since the first cases were reported in April.
By mid-May, the number of cholera cases had increased by over 700%, reaching 109 confirmed cases in just two weeks. The situation has continued to deteriorate, with Lomera now accounting for 95% of all cholera cases in the Katana health zone. This area, which is home to over 275,000 people, is facing an unprecedented health crisis. Emergency response teams are struggling to contain the outbreak, but the situation has been made more difficult by the ongoing closure of airports in Bukavu and Goma. These restrictions have severely hampered the delivery of critical aid, making it even harder to manage the cholera epidemic and provide lifesaving resources to the affected communities.
Cholera has been endemic in the region for many years, with the surrounding lake often being a source of contamination. However, the scale of the current outbreak is unusual, highlighting the fragile state of public health in areas affected by mining booms and armed conflict. Without adequate interventions, the situation in Lomera could deteriorate even further, exacerbating the challenges already faced by the residents of South Kivu.
