Around 30,000 newly displaced people seeking to flee clashes between M23 rebels and so-called Wazalendo fighters find themselves today without any humanitarian assistance. These people live in precarious conditions, particularly in the Bukombo groupement, located in the territory of Rutshuru, in the province of North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These displaced persons, including schoolchildren, come from the villages of Bukombo, Bishusha and the locality of Kipfulo. They fled to the localities of Tongo, Lushovu, Kabizo and Bambo, while others headed for the Kihondo and Mutanda groupements, in the direction of Nyanzale.
Unfortunately, these displaced people find themselves on their own, without access to essential services such as food, drinking water and health care. The NGO Action for Social Integration is sounding the alarm and asking the Congolese government and humanitarian organizations to intervene urgently to help these displaced people.
Philémon Munyakazi, head of the NGO, deplores the deplorable living conditions in which these displaced people find themselves: “These displaced people live in precarious and unpleasant conditions. There is famine. We try to make them aware of hygiene rules, but in such difficult conditions, it is difficult to maintain an adequate level of hygiene”.
He appeals urgently to the Congolese government and humanitarian organizations to assume their responsibilities and provide emergency assistance to these displaced persons. Among them are children, women and even school children who are deprived of education due to their precarious situation.
It is also important to support the host families who have opened their doors to these displaced persons and who find themselves deprived of the means to meet their own needs.
Clashes between the M23 and Wazalendo fighters have already caused many displacements in the Bukombo region. It is essential that measures be taken to put an end to this fighting and guarantee the safety of the civilian population.
In conclusion, it is crucial that the Congolese government and humanitarian organizations provide immediate and adequate assistance to these displaced people who have lost everything because of the violence. It is also essential to put an end to armed conflicts to allow a return to stability and security in the North Kivu region