Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 24th Feb. UN agencies on Friday voiced alarm over the escalating violence and worsening humanitarian needs in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo where government troops have been battling M23 rebels.
They said that since the resurgence of fighting around the town of Sake in North Kivu province this month, some 144,000 people have been forced to flee the outskirts of the provincial capital, Goma.
Other non-State armed groups have also launched a spate of targeted attacks against civilians this week in the city of Beni, located in North Kivu, and in the Irumu territory in neighbouring Ituri province.
UNHCR said that its protection monitoring teams have received reports of killings, kidnappings and the burning of homes.
UNICEF, WFP called for immediate action to protect children and families.
They said the increase in violence and displacement is straining their resources to mount a comprehensive response that includes food, clean water, good sanitation, safe shelter, basic health care and protective services for women and children.
The DRC is one of the most significant internal displacement crises in Africa, with seven million people displaced, primarily due to conflict in the east.
International migration agency estimates that 1.6 million people have been displaced in the past year alone.
DRC Government and humanitarian partners launched a $2.6 billion appeal to provide lifesaving assistance and protection to 8.7 million people in need.
