More than 230,000 people have fled violence in eastern DR Congo since January 1. The UN called the situation one of the world’s most alarming humanitarian crises. Conflicts involving the M23 group have exacerbated the already dire conditions, with widespread displacements and urgent needs for international support.
Since the beginning of the year, over 230,000 individuals have been displaced due to escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to the United Nations. The UN described the situation as one of the “most alarming” humanitarian crises globally. The eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, rich in resources, have been marred by conflict for three decades, with the M23 armed group recently gaining considerable power in the region.
The M23, labeled a “terrorist movement” by the DRC government, has occupied large parts of eastern Congo since 2021, including taking control of the town of Masisi. Eujin Byun, the spokeswoman for the UN refugee agency UNHCR, emphasized that the escalating confrontations between various armed factions and the Congolese army have worsened the already dire humanitarian conditions. Byun remarked on the increasing incidence of human rights abuses and forced displacements.
The violence has exacerbated an already troubling scenario, as the two provinces house 4.6 million internally displaced persons. Reports indicate intense fighting continues, particularly in Masisi and Lubero, causing approximately 150,000 individuals to flee just within the first week of January alone. A temporary reduction in conflict briefly allowed some to return, but new hostilities soon forced them to flee once more.
In South Kivu’s Fizi territory, local authorities have appealed for international support, revealing that 84,000 individuals have sought refuge there. Byun alerted that civilians are suffering from both “indiscriminate bombings and sexual violence,” with children being particularly vulnerable. Furthermore, access to these affected populations is greatly hindered by insecurity and armed actors in those areas.
The UNHCR is poised to provide assistance once access to the conflict-ridden areas is restored, although they stress the necessity for additional funding. The agency requires $226 million in aid for DRC in the current year, yet under 10 percent of this funding goal has been met thus far.
The eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo have faced protracted conflict and humanitarian crises for more than thirty years. The resurgence of violence, primarily attributed to the M23 group, has led to significant population displacement and a deteriorating living situation for residents. The United Nations has repeatedly highlighted the severity of the humanitarian conditions in these areas, noting widespread human rights abuses and the urgent need for international support.
The ongoing violence in eastern DRC has displaced over 230,000 civilians since January, with humanitarian conditions deteriorating rapidly. The UN has called attention to the alarming levels of violence inflicted by armed conflict and the dire need for funding to support affected populations. Without significant international assistance and funding, the humanitarian crisis is expected to worsen.
Original Source: www.rfi.fr
