UNITED NATIONS, Oct 10 (NNN-XINHUA) — Clashes in Masisi territory of North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since Oct 1 have displaced nearly 85,000 people, bringing the total number of people displaced in the province to more than 2 million, UN humanitarians said.
The newly uprooted people have sought refuge in safer locations, including other parts of Masisi territory and in the territory of Rutshuru, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
“They have settled with host families or are sheltering in collective centers. Most are living in very precarious conditions,” OCHA said.
The office reported that fighting restricted road traffic between the North Kivu provincial capital of Goma and Kitshanga in the territory of Rutshuru. As a result, many humanitarian partners of the world body suspended operations in Kitshanga and its surroundings.
OCHA said it is working closely with its partners in organizing urgent assistance as conditions permit.
“The humanitarian community calls on the parties to ensure the protection of civilians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance,” the office said. — NNN-XINHUA
