The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today warned that
though many of the tens of thousands of people displaced by fighting in
eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in recent days have now received
emergency rations, there are serious concerns for those who remain beyond
its reach due to insecurity.
"We are working round the clock to reach people who have fled with
virtually nothing," said WFP DRC Country Director Charles Vincent. "Across
the East, the situation is getting worse every day for innocent civilians
caught up in this conflict. There are too many we are currently unable to
reach."
The most recent violence in North Kivu Province has forced many thousands
to flee in fear from their villages in search of safety. Over 50,000 have
gathered around the village of Mugunga, 10 kilometres west of the
provincial capital Goma, after escaping fighting in Masisi district.
By Thursday evening, WFP had distributed a 10-day ration of maize flour,
peas, oil and salt to more than 35,000 people at Mugunga. The distributions
continue as long as daylight allows.
However, poor security has severely limited access beyond Mugunga to the
worst-affected areas of Masisi, where at least 7,000 more people are
believed to be living in the bush in urgent need of food and other
assistance. On Tuesday, after days of trying, WFP managed to deliver
emergency supplies to Masisi town for malnourished children and civilians
injured in the fighting.
