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UN: Surge in Ituri and Kivu violence displaces hundreds of thousands and disrupts aid deliveries
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Summary
The UN reported armed attacks in Ituri and renewed clashes in parts of North and South Kivu have led humanitarian organizations to suspend operations, cutting life-saving aid to hundreds of thousands and triggering new population movements.
UN humanitarian officials said violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ituri and Kivu provinces has intensified, forcing humanitarian organizations to suspend operations and leaving hundreds of thousands without aid.
The briefing cited a raid on a site hosting displaced people in the territory of Djugu on March 18, in which two people were killed and property looted. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) told the UN that at least four humanitarian organizations have suspended activities in affected areas, cutting off some 300,000 people from lifesaving aid and protection.
The briefing also reported that fighting in South Kivu's Fizi territory (referred to in the briefing as Fisi) has prevented nearly 30,000 displaced people from returning to villages, and that more than 10,000 people fled clashes in Walikale territory yesterday, crossing into neighbouring provinces.
UN spokespeople said clashes continue in parts of North Kivu and South Kivu, leading to new displacements and civilian deaths, and warned that access constraints and insecurity are seriously hindering relief efforts.
Ending note: Humanitarian partners told the UN that suspensions of operations and insecurity in eastern DRC risk compounding existing needs unless security and access improve.
