**The situation of displaced people in North Kivu: an alarming humanitarian crisis**
In the heart of the Lubero territory, in North Kivu, an alarming humanitarian crisis is affecting approximately fifty thousand displaced households who have not received any assistance for two weeks now. These women, men and children fled the rural commune of Kanyabayonga because of the advance of the M23 rebellion, finding themselves scattered across several villages, notably in Kaina, Kirumba and Bulotwa, south of Lubero.
Their testimonies, reported by Richard Kalume, president of the displaced people of the Kanyabayonga site, reveal a shocking reality. Among these seventy thousand displaced people who fled the fighting between the Congolese armed forces and the M23 rebels over the past six months, some have found refuge with host families, but the majority live in precarious conditions, whether in churches, schools or even in front of shops.
This situation highlights the urgency of a humanitarian intervention to provide assistance and support to these displaced populations, who find themselves destitute and vulnerable in the face of the violence and instability prevailing in the region. It is imperative to mobilize the necessary resources to meet the vital needs of these people, in terms of shelter, drinking water, food and medical care.
Beyond the humanitarian emergency, this crisis also highlights the need for concerted action to address the root causes of conflict and population displacement in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. It is crucial to address the roots of the instability and insecurity prevailing in the region, in order to enable local communities to rebuild their lives and live in peace.
Faced with this dramatic situation, it is imperative that the international community, humanitarian actors and Congolese authorities join forces to provide an effective and sustainable response to the IDP crisis in North Kivu. Now is the time for solidarity and action, so as not to leave these populations to their fate and to work together to build a better future for all.