Republic of the Congo
More than 80,000 people have fled their homes in Pool province surrounding Congo Republic’s capital since the government began a military operation there last year, a joint U.N. and government statement said.
The campaign, involving occasional aerial bombardments, aims to curb what the government says is a resurgent rebellion led by Pastor Ntumi, an enemy of President Denis Sassou Nguesso from the oil-rich country’s 1997 civil war.
While it has been hard to confirm death tolls and the impact on residents, any clear evidence of escalating violence could be damaging to Sassou Nguesso’s ruling party, the Congolese Party of Labour, ahead of legislative elections next month.
The United Nations is seeking around $20 million in emergency funding to provide humanitarian assistance in the province, after a recent visit found widespread signs malnutrition, the statement released late on Friday said.
Many of the displaced remain beyond the reach of aid workers, it added.
“In non-accessible zones… there is reason to fear an even more complicated situation as the number of (displaced) continues to increase and living conditions worsen more every day.”
Reuters
01:30
UN report says around 733 million people globally faced hunger in 2023
02:09
Congo/IMF: Civil society criticizes fund management
02:19
Eastern DRC: Rwanda and M23 accused of violating truce
01:00
Hezbollah fires over 200 rockets into Israel in retaliation of the killing of senior commander
01:04
UN humanitarian affairs chief wants G7 action on conflict-fueled hunger
01:23
Sudan: UN condemns escalation of violence in El Fasher in Darfur