Congo: Battles split thousands of children from parents

By Godfrey Olukya

ARU, Democratic Republic of Congo (AA) - At least 4,000 children in a volatile region of the Democratic Republic of Congo have been separated from their families due to a flare-up in conflicts, according to the United Nations.

The children and thousands of other displaced people lack food and other basic necessities, according to a report released last night by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Over the past few months the Kasai region has been hit by clashes between Kamuina Nsapu militia and government security forces, including the police and army, leading to some 400 deaths and thousands of people being displaced.

''2,000 people have been recruited by Kamina Nsapu and many more are at high risk of recruitment by militia. 4,000 children have been separated from their families due to conflict-induced displacement,'' the report said.

A police officer in Kasai, Corp. Benja Lovi, told Anadolu Agency that among those being recruited by Kamuina Nsapu militiamen are children. He said that some of the displaced children are living in the forests alone.

According to the UN report, as of April 27, at least 1.17 million people had been internally displaced due to clashes since last August when clashes between the militiamen and police started.

''Clashes are expected to further spread in the neighboring provinces of Lualaba and Haut-Lomami, driving further displacement,'' the report added.

The displaced people say they desperately need help.

''We lack food, medicine, and shelter. Some of us sleep out in the open under trees because we fled our villages after being attacked by militiamen,'' said Paul Lumuna, a displaced villager.