DRC: 2 million children at risk of starvation, UN says

The United Nations has warned that over two million children in the Democratic Republic of Congo risk starvation if they do not get aid anytime soon.

According to reports, the comments by the UN is in advance of a meeting between Mark Lowcock, the UN humanitarian chief, and potential donors willing to commit aid money to help salvage the situation.

“We have a great responsibility in the DRC … Now is the time to stay the course,” Jens Laerke, UN spokesman, said during a briefing in Geneva.

Read also: DRC: Authorities block Internet access as protests continue

Inter-ethnic violence and protests against President Kabila is blamed for the current turmoil in the Central African country.

Last week, a fresh outbreak of violence in the north-eastern province of Ituri, between the Hema and Lendu communities left no less than 33 people dead according to local authorities.

Reports say the unrest between the two communities is one of several conflicts in DR Congo which have produced a huge amount of refugees with an estimated 200,000 people forced to flee their homes as a result of the violence.

 

 

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