United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa)
10 December 2008
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed concern over the security of displaced civilian populations in the troubled eastern North Kivu province, as the humanitarian crisis deepens.
In Beni territory, local civil society groups have warned that at least 8,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) are deprived of humanitarian assistance. These IDPs are mostly those who moved into Beni a month ago, fleeing fighting between the DRC Armed Forces (FARDC) and troops of the "Congrès National pour la Défence du Peuple" (CNDP), in Rutshuru and in areas south of Lubero.
Others came from Irumu territory in Oriental Province, fleeing clashes between the FARDC and the "Front Populaire pour la Justice au Congo" (FPJC).
7,000 households, of which 2,000 are composed of military wives and children, have been registered in the town of Beni and another 1,000 in Eringeti, some 70 kilometres to the north. They are living in difficult conditions and are deprived of food.
From Beni to Goma, the humanitarian situation has worsened further. UNHCR said it is "extremely concerned" about the safety of displaced people living at the Kibati IDP camp, some 10 kilometres north of Goma.
In a press release issued on 5 December last, the UN refugee agency expressed fears that the civilian population, already in a desperate humanitarian situation, could find themselves caught in the crossfire should clashes resume in the region. The Kibati camp is located between the FARDC and CNDP positions.
UNHCR called on all parties to the conflict to respect humanitarian principles and to guarantee security for civilians and for relief workers. Since November last, the UN agency has transferred more than 1,000 vulnerable people from Kibati to other camps in the vicinity of Goma.
UNHCR's concern arises not only from the fact that those displaced are surrounded by two belligerents, but also from the increasing presence of soldiers in the area, who are the main perpetrators of human rights violations in and around the camps.
Since 28 November last, the voluntary transfer operation for displaced people is continuing at the camps of Mugunga III.
North Kivu has about 2 million internally displaced people, and the Kibati camp alone shelters more than 60,000 people who fled the fighting at Kibumba and Rumangabo, in Rutshuru territory.
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