Thousands flee from violence in the DRC

By Christian Kilundu

Women quickly walk along the road with babies and mattresses strapped to their backs. Men hurriedly chase their herds of goats. Children who are old enough to walk carry jerry cans and water jugs. Others push bicycles loaded with the few belongings they could grab.

People are fleeing the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) as tensions ramp up between rebel factions and the government’s army. At least 35,000 people have been affected by the violent conflict so far.

More than 4,100 people have crossed the border into Rwanda. Many more are searching for safety inside the country. Schools and churches have been turned into makeshift shelters for people who have been displaced by the escalating conflict. In the town of Sake, a spontaneous internally displaced camp has been set up.

“Some people don’t have anything, not even their shoes. They’re just running away from the violence,” says World Vision’s Christian Kilundu, a communication officer living in the affected area.

During an initial assessment, World Vision staff witnessed a huge crowd at a military checkpoint where people were pushing to get beyond the controlled gates.

Meanwhile, many children who have walked long distances, some more than 50 km, sit in the shade of the trees, exhausted from the long journey.

“Some of the children do not have change of clothing and most of them lack warm garments. It’s the rainy season right now and the cold is affecting them,” Kilundu says.

Each day, people are on the move as violence hits new areas. As groups arrive from the affected areas, there are reports of continued gunfire and attacks in their villages.

Fighting erupted Saturday, April 28 2012, when army forces, known as FARDC, and former rebel group, CNDP, clashed within the Masisi region where World Vision has operations.

The situation worsened on Sunday, April 29 at noon, when a rebel group took over the town of Mushake. By noon, sounds of artillery had died down, indicating the area was now fully under rebel control. However, again on Wednesday, May 3, there were reports of new attacks in the town of Mubambiro.

World Vision’s operations have been affected in the Masisi area, where clashes have been reported. A World Vision food aid programme in this area may also be affected and children who remain could face severe food shortages.