05.29.08 Red Cross : Armed clashes harm civilians ! (SunTi SA)

Recent clashes in Lubero territory forced several
thousand people to flee their homes, while the situation of both
displaced people and returnees in the Masisi and Rutshuru territories
is constantly worsening, the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) said in a statement.

The ICRC said an estimated 100,000 people have been
forced to flee their homes in Nord Kivu during the first three months
of 2008 alone.

The aid agency is distributing more than 115 tons of corn
flour, 19,200 litres of peanut oil, 38 tons of beans and 4,608 kilos of
soap to nearly 9,500 displaced people in the Masisi territory, which
should cover their needs for one month.

"In this unstable and unpredictable situation, it is
important to monitor closely how the real needs of the people concerned
are evolving," said ICRC delegate Fabienne Garaud.

Clashes in Nord Kivu, in the east of the DRC, have
continued despite a peace agreement between the main warring parties,
the ICRC said.

Last month, regional security experts urged military intervention to help Kinshasa quash the insurgents.

A UN mission comprising 17,600 peacekeepers has failed to stem the violence in the restive country.

Rebel groups continue to defy attempts to pacify eastern
DR Congo, including renegade troops loyal to cashiered general Laurent
Nkunda who have refused to join DR Congo’s national army.

Recent clashes in Lubero territory forced several
thousand people to flee their homes, while the situation of both
displaced people and returnees in the Masisi and Rutshuru territories
is constantly worsening, the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) said in a statement.

The ICRC said an estimated 100,000 people have been
forced to flee their homes in Nord Kivu during the first three months
of 2008 alone.

The aid agency is distributing more than 115 tons of corn
flour, 19,200 litres of peanut oil, 38 tons of beans and 4,608 kilos of
soap to nearly 9,500 displaced people in the Masisi territory, which
should cover their needs for one month.

"In this unstable and unpredictable situation, it is
important to monitor closely how the real needs of the people concerned
are evolving," said ICRC delegate Fabienne Garaud.

Clashes in Nord Kivu, in the east of the DRC, have
continued despite a peace agreement between the main warring parties,
the ICRC said.

Last month, regional security experts urged military intervention to help Kinshasa quash the insurgents.

A UN mission comprising 17,600 peacekeepers has failed to stem the violence in the restive country.

Rebel groups continue to defy attempts to pacify eastern
DR Congo, including renegade troops loyal to cashiered general Laurent
Nkunda who have refused to join DR Congo’s national army.