South Kivu: Mass displacement reported in Rurambo and surrounding areas

Thousands of residents, including women and children, have arrived in Rurambo in the Uvira highlands of South Kivu after fleeing clashes between the RFN and the Congolese army supported by the Wazalendo. Families from villages including Kekahya, Kabembe, Itegamo, Kamamiranga, Mukato, Namubula, Bibwe and Birambi are reported to lack shelter, food and humanitarian assistance. Local groups are calling for urgent aid, as displaced people are on both sides of the control line between Rurambo and Kahololo. In Kaziba, local organizations recorded nearly 12,000 displaced households after ten days of fighting.