UN HUMANITARIAN OFFICE CONDEMNS ATTACKS ON CIVILIANS

 

IN NINDJA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

BUKAVU, May 31 (OCHA) -- Innocent civilians have been, once again, caught up in the fighting between armed groups in South Kivu, with 19 people killed and many others wounded during an attack on the collectivity of Nindja, 75 km north-west of Bukavu, South Kivu, last Monday.

An estimated 1,280 families, or 6,000 people, have now fled towards the village of Ihembe, fearing further attacks.

“Once again it is innocent civilians who suffer”, said Jean Marc Cordaro, the Head of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in South Kivu.  “OCHA condemns all acts of violence against civilians.  Such attacks must cease immediately.”

Amongst the wounded were those who had limbs hacked off by machetes, with at least four people reportedly still in a critical condition.  Up to 50 more villagers have disappeared -- carried off by the armed men into the bush.  Kidnapping of civilians for ransom is common in the area, with more than 70 people abducted over the last six months.  Of these, 18 have already been executed.

To add to the list of horrors, over 200 women and girls have been raped in the wider Walungu area since the beginning of the year, mostly by armed men.

 “Humanitarian access to the conflict area is severely limited, with local people reporting that attacks are continuing”, said Mr. Cordaro.  “Life-saving aid could only be sent on Friday, when the security of the convoy had been assured.”

Rapid Response focal point for South Kivu, the non-governmental organization (NGO) International Rescue Committee, sent a team to Nindja on Friday, May 27.  They took with them vital relief items supplied by United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), such as blankets, plastic sheeting, soap and jerrycans for the displaced population.  High-protein biscuits, known as BP5, were also distributed.  Latrines are under construction in the makeshift camps where the displaced have gathered.

The NGO Malteser, already implementing humanitarian programmes in the area, accompanied the mission to determine what assistance could be provided in the health and nutrition sectors.  Malteser also delivered mattresses for the displaced and restocked nutritional centres with food rations.

“The protection of civilians against violence is a priority for humanitarians in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo”, Mr. Cordaro continued.  “These attacks, and the ongoing harassment and abuse against civilians in South Kivu must end.  We are doing everything we can to stop the atrocities.”

Nearly 50,000 people were displaced during fighting in the territory of Walungu that began in September 2004.  Many of these have only recently returned home, following an improvement in security in the area.  The collectivity of Nindja is part of the territory of Kabare, which borders on Walungu.

For further information, please, contact:  Rachel Scott Leflaive, Public Information, OCHA DRC, e-mail:  scottleflaive@un.org, tel.:  +243 81 98 60 444; or Jean Marc Cordaro, Head of Office, OCHA South Kivu, e-mail:  cordaro@un.org, tel.  +243 8168 84 793.

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