NAIROBI
The situation of people in parts of the northeast Ituri district, which is subject to sporadic but serious clashes between the Hema and Lendu ethnic groups, is “close to catastrophic”, according to relief workers operating in the northeast of the country. Aid agencies, who have been denied access to many parts of Ituri in recent months due to the Hema-Lendu conflict, found during an assessment mission from 15-19 March that “a very significant number of people” had already died, and more would die in the coming days, due to the forced suspension of humanitarian aid. The clashes themselves resulted in the deaths of some 4,000-7,000 and have displaced an estimated 150,000 people.
The situation was particularly bad in Fataki and Rethy, where the vulnerable people identified were “possibly the most at-risk group currently accessible” in eastern DRC, aid sources told IRIN. More than 3,000 displaced were located in three different sites in Fataki and signs of malnutrition were evident in almost every person, with one small pot of leaves all a family of six could hope to eat for two to three days, they said. Malnutrition was also evident in Rethy, alongside dramatic problems of hygiene and skin disease, and a lack of drinking water. Throughout the area, there was a rising incidence of malaria, measles, respiratory infections and the plague. Yet, it was “highly likely that other areas of equal need exist in Ituri district”, particularly among those displaced people who remain in hiding in the forests. The humanitarian community is currently mobilising resources - with essential drugs, therapeutic milk, food and plastic sheeting among the priorities - and negotiating enhanced access to areas in need.
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