Civilians bombed, thousands forced to flee and children lost: aid organizations have once again sounded the alarm about the impact of escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where new fighting broke out on Thursday.
Clashes between M23 rebels and pro-government forces that have been going on for more than two years have intensified, especially in North Kivu province.
In recent weeks “the increase in civilian casualties and the use of heavy weapons in populated areas, including camps for displaced people, are alarming,” the International NGO Forum in the Democratic Republic of the Congo said in a statement.
The fighting has caused massive displacement to several areas, exacerbating the vulnerability of those forced to flee and host communities, he warned.
“The situation requires urgent measures to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access,” added the Forum, which represents more than 120 international NGOs operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Save the Children said renewed fighting between rebels and government troops had displaced at least 150,000 people, more than half of them children, since February 2.
“Parents have reported that many children have been separated due to violence, although the number of children lost is unknown,” the charity said in a statement.
Around seven million people have been displaced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, mainly in the east, which has been plagued by violence by armed groups for almost 30 years, according to the United Nations.
Fighting has resumed around Goma, capital of North Kivu province, after a lull during the Dec. 20 election that returned President Felix Tshisekedi to power for a second term.
Doctors Without Borders, known by its French acronym MSF, said the medical units it supports in North Kivu had seen a large influx of war wounded in recent days.
At the same time, thousands of people were fleeing the latest armed clashes, he said.
On Wednesday, thousands of people arrived in Goma fleeing violence in the town of Sake, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) away and strategically located on a major highway.
Six people were killed in Sake on Wednesday and many more were injured, medical and security sources said.
Army spokesman Gen. Sylvain Ekenge told reporters Tuesday night that “heavy fighting” had taken place over control of a stretch of road running between Sake and Minova, a small town in neighboring Kivu province. from the south.
Further clashes were reported north of Goma, in Nyiragongo territory, pitting M23 rebels mainly against armed pro-government militias known locally as Wazalendo, and cutting off northbound road traffic.
