Aid groups sound alarm over escalating DR Congo violence
Al Jazeera
Escalating violence in eastern DRC has displaced at least 150,000 people, more than half of them children.
Civilians facing bombs, thousands forced to flee and lost children – aid organisations have again sounded the alarm over the impact of escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where fresh fighting erupted on Thursday.
Clashes between M23 rebels and pro-government forces that have gone on for more than two years have intensified in particular in North Kivu province.
In recent weeks “the increase in civilian casualties and the use of heavy weapons in populated areas, including in camps for displaced people, are alarming”, the International NGO Forum in DRC said in a statement.
The fighting has sparked massive displacement towards several areas, exacerbating the vulnerability of those forced to flee and the host communities, it warned.
“The situation requires urgent action to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access,” added the Forum, which represents more than 120 international NGOs operating in DRC.
