Renewed violent clashes between non-state armed groups and government forces have sparked the latest state of emergency, with 300,000 people forced to flee their homes in North Kivu province. alone in february,
According to the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, another 20,000 fled at the start of the week and during the week of 17 February about 50,000 were displaced from the Kichanga region into the Masisi region.
survivors
“Citizens continue to pay heavy and bloody price “Conflict, including women and children who barely escaped the violence and are now sleeping in the open, in spontaneous or organized shelters,” said Matthew Saltmarsh, a UNHCR spokesman.
“UNHCR teams reported on the ground Horrific testimony to human rights violations in the affected areasThe UNHCR spokeswoman continued, particularly in the Rutshuru and Masi regions, including arbitrary killings, kidnappings, extortion and rape.
Lack of resources
Conditions are dire for those arriving at spontaneous or organized sites, which the UN refugee agency said are now under stress.
A resurgence of violence in eastern DR Congo has displaced more than 800,000 people since March last year, including in South Kivu and Ituri provinces.
Relief materials are distributed to displaced people in Plaine Savo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
More than 130 armed groups operate along the border between DR Congo and Rwanda, including M23 Militiawhich has in the past targeted government forces and UN peacekeeping missions in the country, Monsco,
a M23 Ceasefire deal brokered last week And due to start on Tuesday has failed to materialize.
A resurgence of violence in the region, which includes South Kivu and Ituri provinces, has displaced more than 800,000 people since March last year.
stand up
Where access is permitted, UNHCR teams are deployed to provide psychosocial counseling and community support for those affected by what they have seen or experienced.
Humanitarians continue to warn that despite “all efforts” to provide protection and assistance to displaced people near Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, relief access remains complicated as major routes are often inaccessible due to ongoing conflicts. has been made.
more than 5,500 people have also crossed the border into neighboring Rwanda January onwards 5,300 in Uganda Border areas continue to be devastated by insecurity and violence.
Women collect water at a camp for displaced persons in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
stop fighting
“UNHCR strongly reiterates its call for all actors in eastern DRC to stop violence that is taking a huge toll on civilian populations,” the UN agency said in a statement.
The DRC is the largest internal displacement crisis in Africa 5.8 million people internally displaced, mainly in the east of the country. It also hosts over a million refugees from neighboring countries.
It is one of UNHCR’s least funded operations worldwide. for 2023, UNHCR is seeking $232.6 million To assist internally displaced people and refugees in the DRC. To date, the DRC operation is only eight percent funded.