Meanwhile, several important employers in Kisangani have either closed down or severely reduced their number of staff, contributing to high unemployment and the poor purchasing power of the local population, the human rights group said. Some of the major businesses that have ceased functioning include the private forestry firms of La Forestiere and Amexbois, while the textile company Sotexki has reduced its staff from 800 to 292 people, the report said. The prolonged cut-off of supply lines into Kisangani has led to very high inflation rates and shortages of basic goods, such as soap and flour, the report said. Although some primary and secondary schools started re-opening on 19 October, many families cannot afford to pay the school fees for their children, it added.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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