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U.N. briefs on multiple humanitarian crises: eastern DRC, Mozambique, South Sudan, Haiti and Colombia
Summary
The U.N. reported large displacements and rising insecurity in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, urged more support for Mozambique amid overlapping crises, recounted a visit to South Sudan by the head of peace operations, and noted casualties in Haiti and human-rights concerns in Colombia.
U.N. officials at the press briefing summarized several separate humanitarian and peacekeeping situations across Africa and Latin America.
On the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the U.N. said clashes in Lubero territory north of Goma forced more than 100,000 people to flee their homes, about half of them children, and led to suspension of some local health services. Reports cited widespread human-rights violations during recent clashes and an increase in crime in Goma and elsewhere, including kidnappings and reported attempts to seize humanitarian vehicles. The U.N. said one humanitarian aid worker was struck by a stray bullet near a hospital in Masisi territory and that several civilians were killed during clashes; mission access remains restricted in areas controlled by the M23 armed group.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, concluded a visit to Sudan and South Sudan and met in Juba with South Sudan President Salva Kiir. The U.N. said Lacroix aimed to reaffirm U.N. support for South Sudan as it enters a further transitional extension and to press for overcoming political deadlocks ahead of eventual elections.
In Mozambique, the deputy head of OCHA and the World Food Programme27s deputy executive director visited to press for continued international support, with U.N. officials warning that some 5 million people 24 nearly one in seven 24 need urgent humanitarian assistance because of cyclones, conflict and drought.
Regarding Haiti, the U.N. expressed sadness at the death of a Kenyan police officer serving with the multinational security support mission; the officer was reportedly injured during an anti-gang operation and later died of injuries. The spokesperson passed condolences to the officer27s family and to the government of Kenya.
Finally, the U.N.27s human-rights office in Geneva released a 2024 report urging the Colombian government to better protect civilians amid violence by armed groups. The U.N. said the report documents attacks used by armed groups to exert control and highlights disproportionate impacts on indigenous peoples, Afro-descendant communities and peasants, citing a sharp escalation in parts of Catatumbo in recent weeks.
U.N. officials said these situations illustrate overlapping humanitarian needs across regions and reiterated calls for donor support and measures to protect civilians and humanitarian workers.
