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UN warns of mass displacement in eastern DRC as M23 issues ultimatum; humanitarian access strained
Summary
The UN reported hundreds of thousands on the move in North and South Kivu, localized movements from Goma of more than 10,000 people and a 72‑hour ultimatum from M23 to vacate displacement sites; partners expressed alarm at looting and loss of humanitarian infrastructure.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that hundreds of thousands of people remain displaced in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, with large movements in both North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
Partners said more than 10,000 people left displacement sites in Goma and moved to villages in the Masisi, Rutshuru and Nyiragongo territories. OCHA and humanitarian partners also expressed alarm about looting of infrastructure and displacement sites that has damaged water supply systems, health centers and cholera treatment centers, reducing response capacity.
The briefing said representatives of the M23 armed group issued a 72‑hour ultimatum on Feb. 9 directing people living in sites and collective centers in Goma to return to their villages; the UN quoted a subsequent M23 statement saying it supports voluntary returns but does not compel people to return without firm security guarantees.
In South Kivu, partners reported ongoing violence and said more than 100,000 people had arrived in Bukavu, placing additional strain on services. The UN press office stressed that all returns must be voluntary and take place under safe, informed and dignified conditions in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The briefing included an announcement that Bruno Lemaki, the UN humanitarian coordinator for the DRC based in Kinshasa, would join the briefing virtually to speak on the situation.
