\n<\/p>\n
The rebels have already seized the provincial capital, Goma, and reports indicate that they are closing in on the key city of Bukavu, capital of South Kivu province.<\/p>\n
The hostilities are occurring in a mineral-rich region that has been volatile for decades amid a proliferation of armed groups, which has forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes over the years and seek safety in displacement camps.<\/p>\n
A camp in eastern DR Congo provides security for some of the seven million displaced people in the country.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
UN humanitarians warn that the situation continue to worsen for civilians likely trapped by days of intense fighting in and around Goma, which has a population of over one million.<\/p>\n
Displacement camps on the city\u2019s outskirts, previously hosting more than 300,000 people, are emptying out as people flee the violence. Medical services are overwhelmed by the number of injured, both civilians and military personnel.<\/p>\n
The World Food Programme (WFP) said water and food are running low, and the next 24 hours are crucial.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are really running out of food, clean water, medical supplies and that\u2019s a big concern. So, the supply chain has really been strangled at the moment<\/strong>,\u201d said WFP Spokesperson Shelley Thakral.<\/p>\n Several WFP warehouses have been looted and teams are taking stock of what they will need to procure locally and transfer by road to ensure they have provisions once operations resume in the critically affected areas.<\/p>\n WFP\u2019s priority is keeping its staff and their dependents safe, and only critical staff remain in the area who are getting ready to resume operations as soon security permits<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the human rights crisis also continues to deepen in the east.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n At least two sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been bombed, causing civilian casualties, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, reported.<\/p>\n Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence said OHCHR has documented summary executions of at least 12 people by the M23<\/strong> between 26 and 28 January.<\/p>\n The Office has also documented cases of conflict-related sexual violence by the army and allied Wazalendo fighters<\/strong> in Kalehe territory, located in South Kivu.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n It is also verifying reports that 52 women were raped by Congolese troops in South Kivu, including alleged reports of gangrape.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, in other areas under M23 control in South Kivu, such as Minova, fighters have occupied schools and hospitals, forced IDPs out of camps and subjected the civilian population to forced conscription and forced labour.<\/p>\n Additionally, DRC officials report that at least 165 women were raped by male inmates during the mass prison break from Goma\u2019s Muzenze prison on 27 January<\/strong>, as M23 began its assault on the town.<\/p>\n Mr. Laurence recalled that conflict-related sexual violence has been an appalling feature of armed conflict in eastern DRC for decades, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker T\u00fcrk, \u201cis particularly concerned that this latest escalation risks deepening the risk of conflict-related sexual violence much further<\/strong>.\u201c<\/p>\n He said OHCHR continues to receive urgent requests from civilians for protection and is working with UN colleagues and other partners to ensure their safety.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAs M23 reportedly advances towards Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, the High Commissioner calls for an end to the violence and for all parties to uphold their obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The International Organization for Migration (IOM) also voiced deep concern over the hundreds of thousands of civilians uprooted by the heavy fighting and violence in Goma, some of whom were already previously displaced.<\/p>\n IOM appealed to the international community to recognize the staggering scale of the crisis and support the humanitarian response.\u202f<\/p>\n \u201cWith the current alarming upsurge in fighting, an already dire situation is rapidly becoming very much worse,\u201d said Director General Amy Pope.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIOM joins the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and full humanitarian access, so that we can rapidly scale up our response and ensure that life-saving aid reaches those in need.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The UN agency has been supporting displaced and host communities in Goma and surrounding areas by providing emergency shelter, water, sanitation, and hygiene assistance, among other aid.<\/p>\n IOM warned, however, that both the agency and humanitarian partners are struggling to meet the urgent needs in the DRC.<\/p>\nSummary executions and sexual violence<\/h2>\n
Violations could worsen<\/strong><\/h2>\n
End the violence<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Recognize the crisis<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Appeal for support<\/strong><\/h2>\n