Humanitarians provide relief to thousands of people in need across the Republic of Congo; UN peacekeepers attacked by hostile mobs |
n Update for journalists in New York during Wednesday’s regular news conference, United Nations Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said many of those forced to flee their homes in the Rutshuru area, have found temporary shelter in the school. schools, hospitals, churches and other locations, although most are living with host families. who brought them in.
Food for 50,000 people in need
“Despite severe access restrictions, humanitarian workers have begun helping displaced people within the Nyiragongo territory, providing them with water and health care. Our partners can also distribute food to about 50,000 people,” he added.
Mr Dujarric said more than 180 unaccompanied children have been identified and supported by child protection officers, while about 2,000 other children are receiving psychological support.
Need more supplies
“Demand still exceeds current capacity, especially in the southern part of the Kayna medical district in the Lubero territory, which is already home to about 50,000 displaced people.”
The most pressing needs faced by those caught up in the fighting include water, sanitation and hygiene; as well as a lack of essential household items, shelter, food, health care and basic protective measures.
United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country, MONUSCOcontinue to protect civilians in line with its core mission and work with the Congolese army to stop the M23 movement – a predominantly Tutsi armed group formed to fight the Hutu militia ten years ago have gained ground in recent weeks – and other groups organized armed groups sway over vast swathes of the east.
Maintain ‘multiple locations’
The UN spokesman said that to maximize civilian protection, peacekeepers were “maintaining as many positions, where possible, in the area of conflict”.
After consultations with national partners, the Mission withdrew peacekeepers from its base in Rumangabo, in North Kivu, an area where the Congolese military no longer has a presence, he added.
MONUSCO tweeted that it had made a tactical retreat, to prepare for the next steps with its national partners, in an attempt to stop the advance of the M23, which occupied the town of Kiwanja on Saturday. Four peacekeepers were injured in the fighting over the weekend, carrying out our guard operations.
The peacekeeping force was attacked
Mr. Dujarric also reported that a convoy of peacekeepers was stoned by a hostile mob, at an army checkpoint near the site for evacuees, some miles from the regional capital, Goma. area about 8 km to the north.
“Two peacekeepers were wounded and [at least] an official vehicle was set on fire. Peacekeepers fired warning shots to ensure the convoy passed safely.
“Our colleagues note that this pattern of violence and destruction of equipment limits the mission’s ability to carry out its mission to protect civilians and assist in providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities. hurt.”
