A ceasefire declared by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in Goma, eastern Congo’s largest city, has brought relative calm, allowing residents to bury victims of last week’s intense battles. However, sporadic shooting and looting were still reported on Tuesday.

The ceasefire, announced on Monday, follows days of heavy fighting that claimed thousands of lives and displaced around 700,000 people. Residents in Goma are now grappling with the aftermath, as over 2,000 bodies require burial, according to Congo’s communications minister. The United Nations estimates at least 900 people were killed and nearly 3,000 injured, though discrepancies in official death tolls remain unexplained.

Hospitals and morgues, overwhelmed by the high number of casualties, are struggling to cope. Due to prolonged power outages last week, refrigeration failures at morgues have made it a "race against time" to identify and bury bodies, said Myriam Favier, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross sub-delegation in Goma.

“The land where bodies can be buried in Goma is extremely limited,” she added, raising concerns about the spread of disease. Aid groups are working with local authorities to handle the crisis.

Julienne Zaina Barabara, a resident of the Katoyi neighborhood, recounted how one of her children was killed and two others wounded by shrapnel when an explosive struck near their home. “We took them all to the hospital, where one of them died after three hours. The other two are still receiving treatment,” she said.

The World Food Programme reported that the ongoing violence has forced nearly 700,000 people to flee Goma and its surrounding areas. The U.N.’s top aid official in Congo, Bruno Lemarquis, urged the reopening of Goma’s airport to facilitate humanitarian aid flights.

“For families trapped in this war, the suffering is immense—no food, no safe roads,” said Faustin Habimana, a motorcycle driver who fled from Kivumba, a neighboring town.

Despite the ceasefire, concerns remain about M23’s true intentions. The rebel alliance has vowed to restore order in Goma and denied plans to capture Bukavu, the capital of neighboring South Kivu. However, analysts suggest divisions within the alliance, as some fighters reportedly continue advancing.

Congo’s army remains doubtful. "They call for a ceasefire to reorganize and reinforce their ranks," said army spokesperson Sylvain Ekenge.

The U.N. Human Rights Council has scheduled a special meeting to address the crisis in Goma, while leaders from eastern and southern Africa are set to meet in Tanzania to seek solutions.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame confirmed his participation in the summit, but it remains unclear whether Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi will attend. Meanwhile, Congo’s government has called for sanctions against Rwanda, accusing it of backing M23 to exploit the country’s mineral resources. Rwanda, however, claims it is acting in self-defense to protect ethnic Tutsis.

As international diplomatic efforts unfold, Goma’s residents remain focused on survival—burying the dead, tending to the wounded, and hoping the fragile ceasefire holds.