'Massive and protracted' humanitarian crisis in DR Congo can be 'beaten back' if donors step up
New York, Mar 22 (IBNS): “Urgent and sustained funding” for a Government-led response to what is now a “massive and protracted” humanitarian crisis across the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is required, said the head of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN relief chief on Thursday.
First peaceful transfer of power in DR Congo ‘an extraordinary opportunity’ for advancing rights
New York, Mar 20 (IBNS): The election of President Felix Tshisekedi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marks “an extraordinary opportunity” for the country to advance civil and political rights, said a senior UN official, on Tuesday at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
New York, Mar 19 (IBNS): Despite the relatively peaceful passage of December’s presidential election in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN Special Representative to the country told the Security Council she “remained concerned” over developments in the east, where dozens of armed groups continue to operate.
DR Congo Ebola centre attacks could force retreat against the deadly disease, warns UN health chief
New York, Mar 15 (IBNS): Attacks on Ebola treatment centres in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), risk reversing the gains made during the current outbreak in the north-east of the country, the head of the UN health agency said on Thursday.
Around 260,000 children in DR Congo’s Kasai region suffering severe acute malnutrition
New York, Mar 14 (IBNS): More than a quarter of a million children in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – and thousands of others who have fled with their families to nearby provinces – are suffering severe and acute malnutrition, and need lifesaving treatment, said the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday.
New York, Mar 13 (IBNS): "New waves of violence” could erupt "at any time" in western Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN rights office warned on Tuesday, unless the Government acts to ease “tensions and resentment” between the two communities involved.
Nearly 900 reportedly killed following ‘shocking’ intercommunal attacks in DR Congo
New York, Jan 17 (IBNS): The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said on Wednesday that at least 890 villagers were reportedly killed in the western Democratic Republic of the Congo last month, following brutal inter-communal clashes.
DR Congo: Days ahead ‘critical’ to ‘historic election process’ Security Council hears
New York, Jan 12 (IBNS): With millions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) demonstrating “their commitment to the political process”, the days ahead are “critical” to what has been an “historic election process”, the top UN official in the country told the Security Council on Friday.
‘Refrain from violence’ UN chief urges, as presidential election result is announced in DR Congo
New York, Jan 11 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appealed for all parties to “refrain from violence” in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), following the announcement of the provisional results of the long-delayed presidential election.
New UN rights report paints bleak picture in eastern DR Congo
New York, Dec 20 (IBNS): A new United Nations human rights report has documented “hundreds” of extra-judicial killings and cases of torture and sexual violence against civilians over the last two years in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Peacekeeping chief honours Tanzanian troops in Zanzibar, a year on from deadly DR Congo attacks
New York, Dec 15 (IBNS): A year on from the brutal killings of 15 United Nations peacekeepers from Tanzania in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the head of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) paid a visit to some of the victims’ families on Friday, to honour the memory of the soldiers who died in what was the biggest single loss of ‘blue helmets’ in recent history.
DR Congo elections: ‘Excessive use of force’ in campaign must be avoided, says Bachelet
New York,Dec 15 (IBNS): Deadly pre-election violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) sparked by police reportedly firing live ammunition at opposition supporters, has been condemned by the UN’s top rights official, Michelle Bachelet.
UN chief condemns killing of ‘blue helmets’ in DR Congo, as violence erupts prior to elections
New York, Nov 16 (IBNS): United Nations Secretary-General António Gutteres condemned the killing of seven peacekeepers on Wednesday serving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which is also confronting a lethal Ebola outbreak.
New York, Oct 12 (IBNS): December elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remain on course, but still face “major challenges”, including violence from armed groups in the country’s east, the top United Nations official in the country said on Thursday.
In DR Congo, UN Security Council says December polls are ‘historic opportunity’ for country
New York, Oct 7 (IBNS): The United Nations Security Council wrapped up on Saturday a two-day mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the body’s 15 members pledged to support the process in the run-up to long-delayed elections, set for late December, and called for the polls to be credible and peaceful.