UN and Congo govt start humanitarian assessment of Pool region

A combined team of Congolese government officials as well as officials of the United Nations’ agencies working in Congo on Tuesday started a visit to Congo’s pool region to assess the situation in the area.

The region which is no stranger to violent attacks, was recently at the heart of helicopter bombings by government forces in the aftermath of the country’s March 20 presidential election.

Authorities said the operation was targeting the command bases of combatants led by Frederic Bintsamou, alias Pastor Ntoumi.

The teams are expected to carry out a needs assessment and quantitative estimate of sectoral needs for an appropriate response to the humanitarian situation in the area.

Congo : une mission d'évaluation dans le Pool (sud du pays) – Africanews https://t.co/XgPqBuIgma

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“Based on the recommendations of this mission (of at least seven days), the government and its partners will agree on the support to be provided to the population affected by the safe operation,” a statement from the UN said.

The statement also said the mission was the first to be undertaken by the UN since police started operating in the area.

The pool region which was the scene of violent clashes between government forces and rebel militia between 1998 and 2003.

NGOs such as Amnesty International and the Congolese Catholic church however said schools were also affected by the raids.

Majority of the residents who fled the area during the assault are said to have returned.