Latest news with #Lemarquis
Zawya
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Civilians at breaking point in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo warns top aid official, in call to resume talks
As the Security Council prepared to gather on Wednesday to debate the international community's response to the growing emergency in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN's top aid official there urged all warring parties to allow lifesaving relief supplies to reach the most vulnerable. 'The rapid and uninterrupted expansion of the conflict, particularly in South Kivu province, continues to inflict a heavy toll on the civilian population,' said UN humanitarian coordinator for DRC, Bruno Lemarquis. 'The population can no longer continue to pay such a heavy price for a conflict that continues to spread and now threatens the stability of the entire region.' The veteran aid official's appeal came as yet more vulnerable people reportedly fled combat zones amid advancing and heavily armed Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. On Sunday the opposition fighters took control of Bukavu - the second major eastern DRC city to fall, in a matter of weeks. 'It is imperative to put an end to the confrontations' and resume dialogue, Mr. Lemarquis insisted, as he echoed concerns stressed by the UN Secretary-General that the continuing M23 offensive threatens regional stability. For aid teams who remain committed to helping vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities impacted by the fighting, Mr. Lemarquis signalled that the most urgent priorities include reopening airports for humanitarian flights in Goma – capital of North Kivu and Kavumu in South Kivu, both now controlled by M23. 'Tense' situation in Bukavu The security situation in Bukavu remains tense, according to the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, which also reported that commercial boats have resumed services on Lake Kivu between Bukavu and Goma. Humanitarian partners have also reported widespread looting in various part of Bukavu over the weekend, including a UN World Food Programme warehouse containing 7,000 tonnes of supplies. 'Several churches and collective centres in Bukavu are reportedly hosting displaced people,' OCHA noted in an update, adding that humanitarian assessment activities resumed on Tuesday 'and will continue tomorrow as conditions permit'. In addition to the urgent need for humanitarian supply flights, the UN aid coordinator urged respect for international law regarding the rights of internally displaced people (IDPs). Just last week, relief agencies expressed concern at a 72-hour ultimatum issued by M23 representatives to IDPs in Goma who were told to go back to their villages. 'Any return can only take place on a voluntary basis, under safe, dignified and sustainable conditions, in accordance with international principles,' Mr. Lemarquis explained. Neutrality at core of mission The UN aid coordinator also insisted that relief teams' 'sole mission' was to provide vital assistance and protection to the most vulnerable, 'wherever they may action is guided by the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality, humanity, and independence, without taking sides or engaging in political considerations.' The DRC emergency is one of the most complex humanitarian crises in the world; it follows decades of clashes between the Congolese armed forces and various non-State armed groups, widespread human rights violations and sexual violence. Humanitarian needs are staggering and not just in eastern DRC, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, which noted that seven million people within the country are displaced and more than one million have sought asylum beyond the country's borders. Most of these refugees are hosted by Angola, Burundi, the Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia. At the same time, the DRC – a country seven times the size of Germany – also hosts more than half a million refugees and asylum-seekers. This latest crisis in DRC's east has already uprooted hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people in a matter of weeks. Between 10 and 15,000 people have now crossed into neighbouring Burundi in a matter of days. 'UNHCR urgently calls for increased support to assist refugees and prevent further suffering,' it said in an online appeal. 'We also urge an immediate end to hostilities in eastern DRC to prevent more displacement and civilian harm.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.
Zawya
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) crisis: World Food Programme (WFP) condemns looting in Bukavu after M23 rebels take key city
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has condemned the looting of thousands of tonnes of relief supplies in the city of Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), after Rwanda-backed M23 rebels swept in at the weekend, reportedly meeting little resistance In an online message on Monday, the WFP said that it 'condemns the pillage of its warehouses in Bukavu in South Kivu…the food supplies kept there were meant to provide vital support to the most vulnerable families who now face a growing humanitarian crisis'. Looters made off with 7,000 tonnes of humanitarian food supplies, the UN agency said, adding that as violence spreads and access to food becomes increasingly difficult, 'WFP stands ready to resume essential food aid to the most vulnerable as soon as it is safe to do so'. The UN agency also urged all parties to the conflict 'to respect their obligations vis-à-vis international humanitarian law', which includes the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers. The development came as M23 fighters made continuing gains in eastern DRC, after taking control of Goma - capital of North Kivu province - at the end of January. Hostilities have continued in this mineral-rich region for decades amid a proliferation of armed groups, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. Aid routes blocked In an alert, the top UN aid official in the country, Bruno Lemarquis, warned last Thursday that a shortage of humanitarian routes was threatening the aid operation in the mineral-rich region. Before the M23's latest offensive at the beginning of the year, Mr. Lemarquis recalled that the humanitarian situation in South Kivu was already dire. Roughly 1.65 million people, or just over 20 per cent of the province's population, had been displaced for a wide range of reasons. On Saturday, the UN Secretary-General warned of the potential for the conflict to spark a regional war, before calling for 'African diplomacy to solve the problem'. Speaking on the sidelines of the African Union Summit, António Guterres told journalists that it was 'time to silence the guns, it's time for diplomacy and dialogue. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC must be respected.' MONUSCO, the international UN peacekeeping force in DRC, will continue to provide support, the UN chief continued, although he cautioned that 'a peacekeeping force can't solve the problem because there is no peace to keep'. He insisted, on the other hand that the conflict 'will be solved if there is an effective African unit and African diplomacy to solve the problem'. Mr. Guterres pointed to the crucial importance of efforts such as the recently held joint summit by the South African Development Community in Tanzania, which resulted in a clear pathway for an immediate ceasefire. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Humanitarian catastrophe looms in east Congo as rebels push south, official says
(Reuters) - The advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels into Democratic Republic of Congo's South Kivu province threatens to trigger a humanitarian catastrophe in an area already housing thousands of displaced people, the provincial governor said. The Tutsi-led rebels have been inching south since they seized eastern Congo's largest city of Goma at the end of last month, gaining more ground despite mediation efforts. About 3,000 people were killed in days of violence that preceded the capture of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, according to United Nations figures. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Hospitals were overwhelmed with casualties and humanitarian operations in the city were hindered as non-essential aid workers had to be evacuated and warehouses were looted. Provincial governor Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki told Reuters in an interview that there had since been an influx of people fleeing Goma into South Kivu "creating huge humanitarian needs that we are trying to face". The region was severely under-resourced, he said. Traffic was suspended between South and North Kivu, creating shortages of goods, he said. "Our fear is that should M23 advance to this side, it will assist to a natural humanitarian catastrophe," he said, speaking in South Kivu's capital Bukavu. AID-DEPENDENT The escalation of the decade-old insurgency in east Congo has stoked fears of a broader regional war. Congo's vast mineral reserves, which are concentrated in the east, also play into conflict. Congo is the world's top producer of tantalum and cobalt, a key component in batteries for electric vehicles and mobile phones. It is also the third global copper producer and home to significant coltan, lithium, tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold deposits. Despite this, Congo is gthe world's most aid-dependent country. Humanitarian operations last year were 70% funded by Washington, has taken a big hit since U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a pause on foreign aid last month. The top U.N. aid official in Congo, Bruno Lemarquis, said several partners had already had to pause their projects. "Finding alternatives will be extremely challenging," Lemarquis said in an interview in Congo's capital Kinshasa. The fall of Goma's airport makes it difficult to evacuate severely injured patients and bring in supplies, he said. "Now that the situation has stabilized and security in the city has improved, we need to bring back staff, which isn't something that can happen overnight," he said. Goma's airport is still shut due to operational concerns and because of airspace management, which is under Congolese authority, Lemarquis said. The fall of Goma and the M23's advance since is the latest in a series of Tutsi-led rebellions that emerged in Congo's east after the official end of a string of conflicts between 1996 and 2003 that sucked in Congo's neighbours and killed millions of people. Rwanda has been accused by Congo, the United Nations and several Western countries of supporting the rebels with thousands of its own troops and weapons. It denies this and says it is acting in self-defence. A ceasefire declared by the rebels for humanitarian reasons at the start of February rapidly crumbled. Congo's government said on Wednesday its troops had been attacked several times in different areas since a joint summit of Eastern and Southern African blocs took place to defuse the crisis last week.
Reuters
13-02-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Humanitarian catastrophe looms in east Congo as rebels push south, official says
Summary M23 advance could trigger humanitarian catastrophe U.S. foreign aid works hits aid work in Congo Goma airport still shut, affects operations Feb 13 (Reuters) - The advance of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels into Democratic Republic of Congo's South Kivu province threatens to trigger a humanitarian catastrophe in an area already housing thousands of displaced people, the provincial governor said. The Tutsi-led rebels have been inching south since they seized eastern Congo's largest city of Goma at the end of last month, gaining more ground despite mediation efforts. About 3,000 people were killed in days of violence that preceded the capture of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, according to United Nations figures. Hospitals were overwhelmed with casualties and humanitarian operations in the city were hindered as non-essential aid workers had to be evacuated and warehouses were looted. Provincial governor Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki told Reuters in an interview that there had since been an influx of people fleeing Goma into South Kivu "creating huge humanitarian needs that we are trying to face". The region was severely under-resourced, he said. Traffic was suspended between South and North Kivu, creating shortages of goods, he said. "Our fear is that should M23 advance to this side, it will assist to a natural humanitarian catastrophe," he said, speaking in South Kivu's capital Bukavu. AID-DEPENDENT The escalation of the decade-old insurgency in east Congo has stoked fears of a broader regional war. Congo's vast mineral reserves, which are concentrated in the east, also play into conflict. Congo is the world's top producer of tantalum and cobalt, a key component in batteries for electric vehicles and mobile phones. It is also the third global copper producer and home to significant coltan, lithium, tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold deposits. Despite this, Congo is gthe world's most aid-dependent country. Humanitarian operations last year were 70% funded by Washington, has taken a big hit since U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a pause on foreign aid last month. The top U.N. aid official in Congo, Bruno Lemarquis, said several partners had already had to pause their projects. "Finding alternatives will be extremely challenging," Lemarquis said in an interview in Congo's capital Kinshasa. The fall of Goma's airport makes it difficult to evacuate severely injured patients and bring in supplies, he said. "Now that the situation has stabilized and security in the city has improved, we need to bring back staff, which isn't something that can happen overnight," he said. Goma's airport is still shut due to operational concerns and because of airspace management, which is under Congolese authority, Lemarquis said. The fall of Goma and the M23's advance since is the latest in a series of Tutsi-led rebellions that emerged in Congo's east after the official end of a string of conflicts between 1996 and 2003 that sucked in Congo's neighbours and killed millions of people. Rwanda has been accused by Congo, the United Nations and several Western countries of supporting the rebels with thousands of its own troops and weapons. It denies this and says it is acting in self-defence. A ceasefire declared by the rebels for humanitarian reasons at the start of February rapidly crumbled. Congo's government said on Wednesday its troops had been attacked several times in different areas since a joint summit of Eastern and Southern African blocs took place to defuse the crisis last week.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US aid pause hits DR Congo humanitarian work
A pause in US foreign aid has "severely impacted" humanitarian efforts in conflict-hit Democratic Republic of Congo, a senior UN official in the country has said. Bruno Lemarquis told reporters that DR Congo was the largest recipient of US humanitarian assistance last year - 70% of the African country's aid had come from Washington. US President Donald Trump's decision to pause all international aid was, therefore, a "major source of concern", Mr Lemarquis said. The suspension comes as intense clashes between the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group and DR Congo's army worsen an already dire humanitarian crisis. Approximately 700,000 people are said to have been forced from their homes since the fighting escalated last month. In Goma, a city captured by the M23 last month, residents told the BBC of damaged livelihoods and hospitals overwhelmed by those injured in conflict. The risk of epidemics such as cholera and mpox were also high in Goma, Mr Lemarquis said during Tuesday's briefing. He added that an increased number of residents need food aid as prices have risen, but the US' pause on foreign aid hinders agencies from tackling these issues. "Our ultra dependence on US funding means a lot of programmes had to shut down on everything we are doing. So, it's emergency health, it is emergency shelter.." Mr Lemarquis said. What is USAID and why is Trump poised to 'close it down'? How a US freeze upended global aid in a matter of days 'I'm alive thanks to US foreign aid' President Trump froze all foreign assistance provided by the United States, by far the world's biggest aid donor, on his first day back in office, calling for a review to ensure it abided by his "America First" foreign policy. Trump's administration has targeted the government's main overseas aid agency, USAID, saying its spending is totally unexplainable. The dramatic suspension of humanitarian assistance has hit programmes across the world - one veteran humanitarian worker told the BBC the pause was "like an earthquake across the aid sector". Pepfar, a ground-breaking US programme countering the global spread of HIV, is among those that have been heavily impacted. "The program is shuttered…. Services are shut," Dr Atul Gawande, the former Assistant Administrator for Global Health at USAID, told the BBC last month. He said clinics that served 20 million people with HIV were affected. And in Syria, water, sanitation and security services were all upended at the al-Hol displacement camp following Trump's directive. Critical services have also been hit in Afghanistan, a country whose health sector receives a huge portion of its funding from the US. A doctor responsible for USAID-funded projects there told the BBC that more than 60 of his team, including midwives, nurses and doctors, were told to stay at home after funding was paused. "If the funding halt continues, mothers will be forced to give birth at home as the facilities are closed and it will increase mortality rates," one midwife said. Inside an Islamic State camp shaken by US aid cuts Who's pulling the strings in the DR Congo crisis? The evidence that shows Rwanda is backing rebels in DR Congo Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
