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The Humanitarian Coordinator in the DRC calls to maintain the humanitarian space amidst growing violence against civilians

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Kinshasa, 25 October 2023 -- Humanitarian sources have reported that more than twenty civilians were killed, and several others wounded in an armed attack on the population of Oicha, in the territory of Beni, on 23 October. This tragic event forced several thousand people to flee their homes.

The Humanitarian Coordinator in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Bruno Lemarquis, expressed his deep concern at this escalation of violence against civilians in North Kivu province. "No words can express my concern at the loss of life and the immense suffering that the people of North Kivu province have endured for several years. I express my sincere condolences and solidarity to the families of the victims. The humanitarian community remains mobilized to ensure that the injured receive the care and assistance for their speedy recovery," said Mr. Lemarquis.
In addition to the human cost of this tragic event, the attack also disrupted humanitarian operations.

Two vehicles of a humanitarian NGO were set on fire by angry demonstrators, as were three lorries of humanitarian cargo carrying vital food aid, forcing many organizations to suspend their activities in Oicha. More than 140,000 vulnerable people have been deprived of vital humanitarian assistance.

As a result of the growing insecurity in several areas of North Kivu province, thousands more people are now cut off from the dearly needed assistance. Since the beginning of October, armed violence in the Masisi and Rutshuru territories has displaced nearly 200,000 people in two weeks.

Due to ongoing insecurity, humanitarian actors face severe constraints in accessing many areas densely populated by displaced people.

Humanitarian space must be maintained so people fleeing the violence can get assistance. "I call on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians and the right of the affected to humanitarian assistance, in line with International Humanitarian Law, and in cooperation with relief efforts to mitigate the immense human suffering. This is all about saving the lives of hundreds of thousands of people," the Humanitarian Coordinator added.

Despite the extremely volatile operational context, humanitarian actors have maintained their presence on the ground and continue to scale up the humanitarian assistance to 3 million vulnerable people in North Kivu. By 2023, humanitarian actors are targeting 10 million people in need of emergency humanitarian assistance nationwide.

26 October 2023