More than 230,000 displaced in DRC since the beginning of the year, the UN says | Conflict News

The UN says forced displacement is one of the world’s “most alarming” humanitarian crises.

More than 230,000 people have been displaced since the beginning of the year amid escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to the United Nations.

On Friday, the UN refugee agency UNHCR described the displacement as “the most alarming humanitarian crisis” in the world.

The resource-rich eastern provinces of North and South Kivu – which are home to more than 4.6 million displaced people according to the agency – have been in conflict for three decades, with the M23 rebel group becoming one of the most powerful armed groups in the country. the last few years.

Designated a “terrorist movement” by the DRC government, M23 has taken over large areas of eastern DRC since 2021, and earlier this month, he took control of the town of Masisi in North Kivu.

Earlier this month, Bertrand Bisimwa, the head of M23’s political wing, told Al Jazeera that the group is fighting a “defensive” war..

“Escalating clashes between non-state armed groups and the Congolese army in the provinces of North and South Kivu are intensifying one of the world’s most alarming and under-reported humanitarian crises,” said Eujin Byun, spokesperson of the UNHCR, who spoke to journalists in Geneva.

The conflict, Byun warned, is “marked by widespread human rights violations and massive forced displacement.”

Byun noted that intense fighting in Masisi and Lubero territories forced about 150,000 people to flee their homes between January 1 and 6 alone. Many returned briefly during a lull in the fighting on January 4, but were forced to flee once again as fresh fighting erupted, according to the UN.

In the Fizi territory of South Kivu, the local government has requested international assistance, noting that 84,000 people have sought refuge.

Byun warned that civilians are suffering “indiscriminate bombing and sexual violence”, with children also being targeted.

“Already, dire humanitarian conditions are rapidly worsening, and access to these vulnerable populations is severely limited by insecurity, roadblocks and the presence of violent armed actors,” Byun added.

UNHCR said it is ready to provide assistance as soon as access is restored, but stressed that more funding is urgently needed.