The UN World Food Programme has denounced the theft of food supplies in Bukavu, DRC, amid M23 rebel advances. Approximately 7,000 tonnes were looted, worsening the humanitarian crisis. The WFP is prepared to resume aid when safe, while calls for adherence to humanitarian law and regional diplomacy are emphasized by UN officials to address the escalating conflict.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has condemned the recent looting of thousands of tonnes of its relief supplies in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following the incursion of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. According to the WFP, the food supplies were intended to assist vulnerable families amid a deteriorating humanitarian crisis. The agency reported that looters absconded with 7,000 tonnes of essential food resources, exacerbating food insecurity as violence intensifies.
The WFP emphasized its readiness to resume food aid to those in need once it is safe to proceed. The agency called upon all conflict parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, highlighting the necessity for the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel. This escalation of violence comes as M23 forces consolidate power in eastern DRC, having seized control of Goma earlier this year.
UN aid official Bruno Lemarquis has expressed concern regarding the limitations on humanitarian routes, which threaten aid operations in the resource-rich area. Even before the M23 offensive, the humanitarian situation in South Kivu was alarming, with approximately 1.65 million individuals displaced, representing over 20% of the province’s population due to various conflicts.
In light of these developments, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of the potential for the conflict to escalate into a regional war. He called for a diplomatic resolution and emphasized that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC must be respected. Mr. Guterres affirmed the ongoing support of MONUSCO, the UN peacekeeping force in DRC, while noting that peacekeeping cannot resolve the underlying issues without a stable peace in place.
Highlighting the importance of African diplomacy, Mr. Guterres pointed to the recent summit by the South African Development Community, which provided a potential roadmap for a ceasefire, stressing that a collaborative African solution is crucial for resolving the ongoing conflict.
The WFP’s condemnation of the looting in Bukavu underscores the critical humanitarian crisis in the DRC. As violence escalates with M23 rebel advances, the need for international and regional diplomatic efforts becomes ever more urgent. The UN’s call for adherence to humanitarian law and protection of civilians highlights the dire need for support for the affected populations.
Original Source: news.un.org
