Written by Vianca
Over a million newly displaced people in eastern DR Congo in urgent need of aid.
Armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo are constantly increasing brutal attacks on civilians, repeatedly driving people from their homes, and causing 1,200 civilian deaths in the two most affected provinces of North Kivu and Ituri, UNHCR has stated.
Of 25,000 human rights abuses recorded this year, more than half were carried out against displaced people who had attempted to return home due to harsh living conditions and lack of food.
MORE THAN A MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INTERNALLY DISPLACED IN THE EAST OF THE COUNTRY IN 2021.
Due to a “state of siege” declared by Congolese authorities in May, security forces have sharply inscreased their operations against armed groups, but UNHCR said some groups were retaliating by attacking villages and individuals with the use of sexual violence, extortion, and looting.
On 3 September, armed men identified as members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) raided a village in Irumu Territory and killed 15 civilians.
UNHCR is calling for urgent measures to protect civilians and more funding to support those in need. The agency has only received 51 per cent of the funding it needs to operate in the DRC this year.
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