The administrator of the Idjwi island, Mustapha Mamboleo, said that this region of South Kivu welcomed about 42,800 people who fled the violence of the M23, mainly from the territories of Kalehe and Kabare.

Mamboleo told Actualité.CD. that the displaced people live in a situation of great vulnerability, in very precarious conditions and without humanitarian aid, so he appealed to people of good faith to collaborate.

“The local community has already done and continues to do what it can in terms of solidarity, but their help is not enough,” he explained and added that due to the difficulties some people has gone to other camps in the southern zone, in the Mbinga Sud group.

Others turn to host families, who are unable to cope and do not have sufficient resources to cover all needs, especially food and health.

The displaced persons are appealing to the authorities to take concrete measures to ensure security and facilitate their return home, the only solution to the precarious living conditions they face in the refugee camps.

The humanitarian coordinator in DRC, Bruno Lemarquis, warned last week that the M23 advance in South Kivu, supported by Rwanda, would complicate humanitarian aid operations, especially if the Kavumu airport closes its activities.

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