DR Congo: Conflict displaces 200,000 in 2 months

By Felix Tih

ANKARA (AA) – Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) Ituri province has forced more than 200,000 people to flee their homes in just two months, the UN refugee agency said on Friday.

In a statement, UNHCR called on all sides involved in the conflict to respect civilian lives and humanitarian work.

The agency and its partners recorded “more than 3,000 serious human rights violations in Djugu Territory in the last 60 days, arising from almost 50 attacks against the local population on average every day.”

“Displaced persons have reported acts of extreme violence with at least 274 civilians killed with weapons such as machetes. More than 140 women were raped and almost 8,000 houses set on fire,” read the statement.

“Some displaced, daring to return home, become targeted again as the attacks and threats from armed groups continue.”

UNHCR said it “is concerned for the safety of the displaced people and fears that the lack of humanitarian assistance will have a huge impact as income opportunities have been reduced with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Hunger is also a real risk with food prices increasing due to limited supply in both territories,” read the statement.

It said tensions have spiked since a government-led military operation against armed groups was launched last December.

“Violence has surged since mid-March as the number of counter-attacks by armed groups have multiplied,” the UNHCR said.

For the last 20 years, eastern DR Congo has seen a number of conflicts over ethnic and land disputes, control of mineral resources, and rivalries between neighboring states.