The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Tuesday that more than 130,000 people were displaced in North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in May amid ongoing armed violence.

According to OCHA’s latest monthly report, Rutshuru, Lubero, Masisi, Beni, and Walikale territories remain the focal points of clashes between armed groups, significantly worsening the humanitarian situation in the region.

The report cited multiple civilian casualties, widespread destruction of critical infrastructure, and the suspension of healthcare services affecting thousands of people, observing that humanitarian access remains severely restricted in many areas.

Despite the efforts of aid organisations, urgent needs in shelter, sanitation, and civilian protection remain unmet.

The organisation said more than 4.19 million people in the province are currently facing acute food insecurity.

It said that since January, security conditions in eastern DRC had sharply deteriorated, driven by a resurgence in fighting involving the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group.

The M23 has seized several strategic towns, including Goma and Bukavu, leading to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians and deepening an already dire humanitarian crisis.

(Xinhua/NAN)