Intensified fighting in eastern DRC has displaced nearly 80,000 individuals, with reports of over 800 instances of sexual violence in February alone. UNHCR highlights the dire conditions faced by internally displaced persons and warns of potential further displacement as violence continues.
The deteriorating situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has resulted in nearly 80,000 individuals fleeing to neighboring countries due to intense conflict between the Congolese army and Rwandan-backed M23 rebels, as reported by the UN refugee agency (UNHCR). Furthermore, humanitarian organizations have documented over 800 incidents of rape in just the last two weeks of February, highlighting the pervasive sexual violence accompanying the conflict.
The violence extends beyond personal safety, with widespread looting and destruction of civilian properties occurring in areas near combat zones. UNHCR Deputy Director Patrick Eba stated that only approximately 17,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently reside in temporary shelters, while an alarming 414,000 individuals have been in motion over the past month, motivated by government encouragement to return home.
The UNHCR has expressed concern regarding the possibility that even more individuals may seek refuge across borders as the violence escalates. The ongoing turmoil in the region suggests that humanitarian needs will continue to grow, necessitating urgent attention and intervention to protect vulnerable populations from further displacement and violence.
The ongoing conflict in eastern DRC persists with dire consequences, forcing close to 80,000 individuals to flee to neighboring countries due to violence and sexual abuse. The situation remains critical, as thousands of internally displaced persons are left vulnerable. As humanitarian needs grow, the international community must respond promptly to alleviate the crisis and provide necessary aid to those affected.
Original Source: allafrica.com
