UN: 'Black holes' in DRC

2008-11-11 16:24

Geneva - The United Nations warned on Tuesday of "humanitarian black holes" in the Nord-Kivu region of the Democratic Republic of Congo as fighting forces aid agencies to halt operations in some areas.

Humanitarian organisations have notably had to suspend operations in the South Lubero area due to a strong militarisation of the area, looting and threats from armed men, said Elisabeth Byrs from the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The suspension has hit water trucking activities, agricultural support to displaced people and host families, and protection activities, she said.

"This type of humanitarian black hole which extends over the zone where access is difficult is growing, which worries us a great deal," Byrs said.

OCHA estimates that about 253 000 people have been displaced in the fighting between rebel and government forces in Nord-Kivu since September.

Earlier on Tuesday, the UN accused government forces of widespread looting and human rights abuses against civilians in several towns in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

"Soldiers of the FARDC (Armed Forces of DR Congo) have been engaged since yesterday (Monday) evening in looting and acts of brutality against the civilian population in the Kanyabayonga area," 175km north of regional capital Goma, MONUC spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Jean-Paul Dietrich said.

Violence against civilians had spread to other towns further north, Kaina and Kirumba, and was continuing midday on Tuesday, Dietrich said in Kinshasa.

The three towns are strategically located in the north of Nord-Kivu province, where rebels loyal to renegade general Laurent Nkunda control much of the territory following an offensive in recent weeks.

- AFP