European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib Arrives in Goma Amid Humanitarian Briefings

February 20, 2026 - Goma, North Kivu, DRC - The European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, arrived in Goma today as part of her tour of the Great Lakes region, focusing on humanitarian and protection issues. The morning began with a briefing on the humanitarian access situation with INSO and OCHA at the ECHO office, followed by meetings with national organizations addressing protection concerns in the city. Commissioner Lahbib also visited Ndosho Hospital, supported by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), where she was briefed on the surgical response, trends in injuries treated, and toured critical care units, including a confidential discussion with two patients. A working lunch was held with humanitarian partners, including international NGOs and UN representatives, to discuss coordination and operational challenges. Later in the afternoon, the commissioner is scheduled to meet with AFC/M23 representatives to emphasize humanitarian access concerns and discuss the potential reopening of Goma airport. Lahbib visited Rwanda the previous day as part of her regional mission. This visit underscores the urgent need for improved humanitarian access in eastern DRC, where ongoing conflict continues to affect civilians and disrupt essential services.