Fears are growing for the safety of civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following an escalation in fighting over recent days.
After a lull of two months, Congolese army soldiers have been involved in serious clashes with an armed group called M23 around the city of Goma in North Kivu province.
The fighting follows stalled peace talks between the two sides and has led to the UN voicing renewed concern for the safety of civilians, with Goma said to be tense.
Despite the instability, Tearfund staff and partners are continuing to run aid projects in North Kivu, particularly in and around Goma.
Emergency appeal
Cedric Perus, Tearfund’s Deputy Head of West and Central Africa Region, said the instability highlighted the importance of Tearfund’s recently launched emergency appeal to help civilians affected by conflict in DRC.
‘With our partners and staff on the ground, we’re committed to helping rebuild the lives of people who have suffered extensively as a result of indiscriminate fighting,’ said Cedric.
‘Our appeal will enable us to provide basic everyday household items for displaced families, but also to invest in their future by helping them restart livelihoods, giving them new skills and improving their access to water and sanitation.’ In a separate development, rebels from a Ugandan group called the Allied Democratic Forces captured the North Kivu town of Kamango, prompting tens of thousands of people to flee across the border into western Uganda.