Democratic Republic of the Congo / Precarious security situation
KINSHASA, Dem. Rep. of Congo (DRC) July 9, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Daily press briefing by the offices of the spokesperson for the UN secretary-general and the spokesperson for the general assembly president.
In North Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, fighters from the rebel Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) have continued their attacks on villages and towns in the areas of Lubero, Masisi and Walikale, committing crimes that include forced labour, sexual violence, arson and looting.
The precarious security situation continues to be a major obstacle to the implementation of humanitarian assistance programmes in North Kivu. Remote parts of the territories of Masisi and Walikale remain inaccessible.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that attacks against humanitarian workers have also continued. During the first half of 2009, there were 66 incidents of violence against humanitarian workers, compared to 37 incidents during the corresponding period in 2008. OCHA further reports that military action against the FDLR in North Kivu continues to cause displacements among civilians. An estimated 400,000 people were displaced between January and June 2009. The areas most affected are South Lubero, some parts of Masisi and the territory of Walikale.
SOURCE
United Nations – Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General
