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Cycle of violence set to repeat in Ituri province

The Ituri region has returned to violence since the end of 2017, mainly in its northern part, the territory of Djugu. Between 1999 and 2003, an inter-community conflict had claimed tens of thousands of victims until the intervention of a European force. This conflict opposed two communities, the Lendu and the Hema, in this province rich in gold and oil. The Codeco armed group is best known as a pro-Lendu militia, while the regular Congolese army (FARDC) mainly supports the Hema. This new conflict, worthy of a "crime against humanity" according to the United Nations, has displaced tens of thousands of civilians fleeing the violence.

Regularly plagued by violence, the Drodo health zone suffered a multitude of particularly deadly attacks between 12 and 28 November 2021. Four successive attacks of unprecedented violence hit the sites of Tché, Drodro Parish, Luko and Ivo. This escalation of violence continues to deteriorate the humanitarian and security situation of the IDP sites in the area, increasing the vulnerability and isolation of the population.

After months of inter-communal violence and clashes, the security situation in the Drodro health zone is therefore experiencing an upsurge in violence, exacerbating humanitarian needs. As a result, more than 40,000 people have been forced to move to the Rhoe displacement site in the Blukwa State health area, an area that is difficult to access and where humanitarian actors have a reduced presence due to security concerns. These 40,000 newly displaced people are in addition to the 21,458 displaced people already settled in this existing site since 2019, and are left with little humanitarian assistance.

These repeated acts of violence against the population are violations of international humanitarian law and prevent humanitarians to access populations. It is not up to the humanitarian community to find a way out of this recurrent clashes between communities. The Congolese state and its international partners need to look for political solutions rather than go for a resolution by military force.

MSBSTO28199

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French ITW Dr Benjamin Dioza Safari, Pédiatre de MSF

Subt. French

ENG ITW Dr Benjamin Dioza Safari, MSF paediatrician

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ENG ITW Daniel Lonema Unega, MSF assistant project coordinator

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Before/After - The city of Drodro and Rhoe camp

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French ITW Daniel Lonema Unega, Assistant coordinateur de projet MSF

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Avant/Après - ville de Drodro et camp de Rhoe

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Patient referral by helicopter in Rhoe Camp

Patient referral from Rhoe camp

Rhoe Internally Displaced People camp, DR Congo

Patient referral by helicopter in Rhoe Camp

Patient referral and supply by helicopter in Rhoe Camp

Medical activities in Rhoe camp, DR Congo

Water, sanitation and Hygiene activities in Rhoe camp

Living conditions in Rhoe Camp, DR Congo

General Referral Hospital in Drodro, DR Congo

Daniel Lonema Unega

General Referral Hospital in Drodro, DR Congo

Water, sanitation and Hygiene activities in Rhoe camp

Living conditions in Rhoe Camp, DR Congo

Rhoe Camp, General view, DR Congo

Rhoe Internally Displaced People camp, DR Congo

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Title Cycle of violence set to repeat in Ituri province

Unique Identifier Code / URN MSBSTO28199

Editor's rating ★★★★★★ (B)

Date taken / Date Recorded 18/12/2021 12:00 AM

Sub type Standard Folder

Date taken / Date Recorded 18/12/2021 12:00 AM