Photo: Marie Cacace/Oxfam

The UN reports that more than two million people are now displaced across the DR Congo, the highest figure the country has seen since 2009.

The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos, is expected to visit a camp hosting Congolese refugees in Rwanda, in a mission aimed at drawing attention to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the DRC and its effects on the region.

This will be part of her three-day visit to both Rwanda and DRC; she landed in North Kivu, DRC yesterday to witness the humanitarian impact of the conflict and the ongoing relief efforts.

According to UN, Amos is expected to discuss ways of strengthening relief efforts and mobilizing additional assistance, including financial support, with the Congolese and Rwandan authorities and other humanitarian partners."

"Providing relief and protection to civilians is a priority for the humanitarian community, but insecurity and poor infrastructure makes it challenging to reach affected communities. Since 2009, armed conflict in eastern DRC has internally displaced some 2.2 million people, a statement from the UN reads.

Fighting in North Kivu has led to the displacement of more than a quarter of a million people in recent weeks, including tens of thousands across the borders into Rwanda and Uganda.