Violence is escalating to a higher level as more clashes continue between rebel factions and armed groups in the two Kivu provinces of DRC.
According to latest information, in the past week alone, aleast 74 civilians have been killed and 83 wounded in South Kivu.
A preliminary report released Monday by the United Nations, denounces an “alarming” escalation of violence in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The same report notes of clashes involving heavy weapons and shelling in populated areas of Uvira, Walungu, Mwenga, Shabunda, Kabare, Fizi, and Kalehe, according to the UN humanitarian coordinator in the DRC, Bruno Lemarquis.
The fighting has prevented evacuation of the wounded, as several roads are blocked by roadblocks.
Civilians and civilian infrastructure are not targets,” he said.
The renewed violence has triggered mass displacement: more than 200,000 people have fled their villages since December 2, while thousands more have crossed the border into Burundi and Rwanda.
The conditions of the displaced are considered “extremely precarious” in a province with 1.2 million people internally displaced persons.
The UN official called on all parties to guarantee “safe, rapid and unimpeded” humanitarian access.
He also welcomed the endorsement of the December 4 peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, while stressing that its credibility will depend on the immediate cessation of hostilities.
