Thousands Flee Attacks by Armed Groups in Eastern DRC

GENEVA - The U.N. refugee agency says a series of attacks by armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has forced nearly 20,000 civilians to flee for their lives. 

More than 100 armed groups, such as the Ugandan Allied Democratic Forces, have been terrorizing communities in the eastern DRC for decades.   On May 6, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi launched a state of emergency in North Kivu and Ituri provinces.  Following that declaration, peoples’ hopes were raised that violence would end and law and order would be established in the region. However, U.N. refugee agency spokesman Babar Baloch says armed groups are continuing to devastate civilian lives.  He says there is little military presence in the area to protect people from the relentless attacks.