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Congo Crisis Deepens: Over 500,000 Displaced Amid Heavy Fighting

The situation in eastern Congo is rapidly deteriorating. UNICEF reports that intense fighting has forced over half a million people to flee their homes in just two weeks. The M23 rebel group's capture of the key city of Uvira raises fears of the conflict spreading further. This has created a severe humanitarian crisis, with many seeking refuge across borders in Burundi and Rwanda.

Key Points: UNICEF Reports 500,000 Displaced in Congo's South Kivu Fighting

  • Over 500,000 people displaced in South Kivu since December 1, including 100,000+ children
  • M23 rebel group seizes strategic city of Uvira near Burundi border
  • At least four children killed as violence spreads to Baraka and Fizi areas
  • Over 50,000 new arrivals in Burundi, with numbers expected to rise further
2 min read

Over 500,000 displaced by 2 weeks of fighting in Congo's South Kivu: UNICEF

UNICEF warns of escalating violence in DRC, with over 500,000 people displaced in two weeks, including 100,000 children, amid M23 rebel advances.

"deeply alarmed by the rapid escalation of hostilities - UNICEF"

Kinshasa, Dec 15

Over 500, 000 people, including more than 100, 000 children, have been displaced since December 1 due to intense fighting in South Kivu Province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said.

In a statement, UNICEF said it is 'deeply alarmed' by the rapid escalation of hostilities in South Kivu, which has forced hundreds of thousands of children and families to flee for safety, both within the DRC and across borders into the neighbouring Burundi and Rwanda.

UNICEF called on all parties to the conflict to protect children and respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.

As violence continues to spread, displacement figures are expected to rise further, said UNICEF, noting that hundreds of people, including at least four children, have been killed since December 2 amid heavy fighting in South Kivu.

A sudden influx of people fleeing violence has also been registered in neighbouring Burundi. Between December 6 and December 11, more than 50,000 new arrivals were identified, nearly half of them children. The figure is expected to increase as authorities continue to identify people seeking refuge, said UNICEF.

Earlier this week, the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group announced that it had seized Uvira, the second-largest city in South Kivu near the Burundian border, amid the latest round of offensives in the province.

Uvira served as the provisional administrative centre for South Kivu after the provincial capital, Bukavu, fell to the M23 in February. A major commercial hub near the Burundian border, the city holds significant strategic importance in eastern DRC, Xinhua news agency reported.

Analysts and local sources warned that Uvira's loss could, over time, open a corridor toward DRC's southeastern provinces, including Haut-Katanga, a key economic region, as clashes between M23 fighters and DRC government forces have also been reported further south in the Baraka and Fizi areas.

int/jk/

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The strategic importance of Uvira is clearly why the fighting is so intense. It's a tragedy that civilians, especially kids, are always the ones who suffer the most in these power struggles. When will it end?
A
Aman W
Reading this while sitting safely at home is a privilege. Half a million people forced to flee. We have our own challenges in India, but we must acknowledge this immense human suffering. My prayers are with them.
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Sarah B
The report mentions the displacement figures are expected to rise. This is a full-blown humanitarian crisis. Where is the aid? UNICEF can only do so much. The world's major powers need to step up their diplomatic efforts to stop this conflict.
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Vikram M
It's a complex region with so many armed groups. The M23 capturing Uvira is a major setback. This could destabilize the entire southeast of DRC, which is an economic hub. The human cost is just unbearable. Yaar, kya haal hai duniya ka.
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Karthik V
While our hearts go out to the people of Congo, I have to ask respectfully: where is the coverage of similar displacement in our own region? Not to compare suffering, but our media often gives more space to distant conflicts than to crises closer to home that also need attention.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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