Hundreds of displaced people arrive in Hombo after fighting
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Actualité.cd
Hundreds of households fled clashes between the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) and the FARDC in Bitale and Bulambika, South Kivu, to reach Hombo and its surroundings. Local civil society is calling for urgent assistance with food, shelter and medical care, according to Actualite.cd.
Households fleeing clashes between the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and the Wazalendo are arriving in Hombo South, Hombo North and surrounding villages in Kalehe territory, South Kivu. The exact number of displaced people is unknown, according to Actualite.cd sources.
Some families are taking in the displaced people, while others are finding refuge in schools and churches for lack of suitable shelter. Local civil society told Actualite.cd that Hombo is now overwhelmed by the influx of people who fled their villages in haste.
The needs include food, shelter and medical assistance. Hombo civil society is calling on humanitarian organisations to quickly assess needs in order to organise appropriate assistance for affected families.
The capacity of local families to accommodate people remains limited, while they themselves have been weakened by insecurity. The FRN had previously taken control of Bitale and Bulambika, according to Actualite.cd. The arrival of new displaced people is therefore increasing the humanitarian pressure in Kalehe territory.
The influx follows the takeover of Bulambika by the FRN, announced on 8 November, and comes amid continued fighting reported in Bitale. Clashes between the FRN, the FARDC and the Wazalendo had notably been reported in Bitale.
