UN condemns Uvira attack on relief workers

Acting Emergency Relief Coordinator for the UN Carolyn McAskie on Wednesday expressed shock at the “unwarranted and vicious attack on humanitarian personnel”, which resulted in one death and several injuries in Uvira, South Kivu, on Sunday. The International Medical Corps (IMC) had suspended its immunisation activities in the country as a result of the attack on its staff, McAskie said in a statement. She called on the DRC government and all parties involved in the fighting in the east “to adhere to their commitment to enable relief workers to operate safely and to ensure that those responsible for this cowardly act are brought to justice”.

UNOCHA said armed men had opened fire on a vehicle transporting IMC staff at a checkpoint near Uvira on the third day of a polio immunisation campaign in the region. One health centre supervisor was killed, and several staff members and local vaccinators wounded. “Assurances for the safety of relief workers are vital to proceed with the second and third phases of this campaign which are required to ensure effective immunisation among children,” McAskie stated.