South Kivu: Mass displacement of residents in Rurambo and surrounding areas

Thousands of residents, including women and children, have fled clashes between the RFN and the Congolese army backed by the Wazalendo and arrived in Rurambo, in the Uvira highlands. Civil society sources say the displaced came from villages including Kekahya, Kabembe, Itegamo, Kamamiranga, Mukato, Namubula, Bibwe and Birambi, and that many families lack shelter, food and humanitarian assistance. Local actors are calling for urgent aid; Rurambo is controlled by the FARDC, while many Banyamulenge displaced people are in Kahololo. In Kaziba, local organizations reported nearly 12,000 displaced households after ten days of fighting.