Urgent Response Needed for Disaster in Dr Congo's Kivu

A humanitarian disaster is underway in North Kivu, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where around one million people have fled their homes in the past 12 months to escape fighting linked to the resurgence of the M23 armed group. This major crisis is exacerbating an already critical humanitarian situation in the province.

With prices rising and access to healthcare deteriorating, food insecurity is worsening in the province. More than one-third of people in North Kivu - three million people - are currently at risk of food insecurity, according to the UN.

"There is no time to lose," Raphaël Piret, MSF country representative in DRC has said. "The aid community and the authorities must redouble their efforts to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches the people who need it, wherever they are, while all parties to the conflict must commit to facilitating access for humanitarian organisations."

The EastAfrican reports that East African Community Regional Force and the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo have launched a joint operation in Eastern DRC.