Nearly 80,000 people have fled the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to neighboring countries, with around 61,000 seeking shelter in Burundi, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The conflict, which began in January, has displaced hundreds of thousands and triggered a “one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises”. The UNHCR reports that an average of 60 rapes occurred per day across the first two weeks of February.
Rwanda denies providing military support to the M23 armed group, but a UN experts’ report found that Rwanda maintained troops in the eastern DRC and had “de facto control” over the group. The report suggests that Rwanda is using the M23 to secure control of the DRC’s mineral wealth, including gold and other minerals.
The crisis in the DRC’s North and South Kivu provinces has seen 414,000 people on the move, with many facing human rights abuses, looting, and destruction of civilian homes and businesses.
Source: https://www.jacarandafm.com/news/news/nearly-80000fledeastdrcneighbouringcountriesun