Red Cross suspends distribution of food aid in DRC province

RUTSHURU, DRC | THE INDEPENDENT | The International Committee of the Red Cross-ICRC has suspended the distribution of food aid to displaced civilians in Kanyabayonga, Lubero territory, North Kivu Province.

On Monday there was fighting along Kilambo-Bulindi road, west of Rutshuru territory, and Maysafi-Lubwe, in the Virunga National Park along Kanyabayonga-Rwindi road.  FARDC and the coalition are preventing M23 from advancing to capture Kanyabayonga town.

On Tuesday, the humanitarian aid agency released a statement signed by their top officials in Goma, Regan Kimberly and Francine Kongolo announcing the suspension of food aid to the displaced civilians in Lubero.  According to the statement, the affected civilians are those seeking refuge in the edges of north Kanyabayonga, Burangiza, and Bulindi.

The statement cites security reasons to be behind the suspension.  The statement indicates that fighting has caused the displacement of about 64,740 people in Kanyabayonga and neighboring areas.

In March 2022, M23, led by Bertrand Bisimwa and General Sultan Makenga, initiated a conflict against the government.  The DR Congo government accuses Rwanda of supporting M23, although both Rwanda and M23 vehemently deny these claims. The rebels assert that they are fighting against corruption, xenophobia, and discrimination within the leadership of DR Congo.

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