Aid groups suspend work in DRC

2008-04-11 14:15

Geneva - United Nations humanitarian agencies said they had temporarily suspended operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo after four attacks in three weeks targeting international organisations.

Equipment and goods destined for relief operations had been stolen and personnel attacked in South Kivu province. In mid-March, money and equipment had been stolen in an armed hold-up of vehicles in Kashatu.

Later that month, at Minova, members of the international non-governmental organisation (NGO) Doctors without Borders had been injured after their base was attacked and cash and communication equipment stolen.

Another two raids were carried out in April on roads near Katobo and Kakamba.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs appealed to the authorities to provide the security the agencies and NGO's needed to resume their work and urged them to track down those responsible.

Sapa-dpa

- SAPA