Fighting displaces thousands in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says that escalating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to displace and endanger civilians.

In South Kivu province, fighting in the territories of Fizi, Uvira, Walungu and Kalehe has displaced thousands of people in recent weeks. In Fizi territory alone, more than 40,000 people have been newly displaced since July.

Overall, the province of South Kivu is now hosting nearly 1.2 million internally displaced people.

In neighbouring North Kivu province, clashes continued yesterday in Masisi territory, causing further displacement. Humanitarian partners are assessing the impact and warn that further escalation could drive additional humanitarian needs across the region.

The violence comes as the UN and its partners continue supporting the response to the Ebola outbreak and delivering life-saving assistance.*

According to national authorities, more than 7,700 Ebola cases and 3,700 deaths had been reported as of yesterday. Community transmission remains active in several provinces, while insecurity and ongoing movements continue to hamper surveillance, contact tracing and case management efforts.

OCHA calls on all parties to protect civilians and ensure safe, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access to those who need it most.

Meanwhile, Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher recently allocated US$1 million from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to contain the cholera outbreak in the western Kwango province. The new funds will support essential health services, water supply and sanitation.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with urgent support.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).