UN Reports Numbers of Displaced in Congo

50,000 Congolese were previously reported displaced due to fighting in eastern Congo. Now, over the past week, an additional 30,000 can be added to that number. Reports by civilians of widespread murder, rape, looting, and burning continue. United Press International reported on February 15, that Director Carol Bellamy, UNICEF Executive Director, said, “We need to bring the same sense of urgency to the Congo that we brought to the tsunami, in order to stop the killing of children,” and that Congo was, “moving towards a peace process, with the promise of elections this June. Renewed attacks against civilians put the transitional process at risk, and are a disaster for Congolese children.