UN deploys helicopters after DRC ceasefire violation
Refugees remain in peril in the eastern DRC
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Tuesday, 18, Nov 2008 10:31
UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo have deployed attack helicopters in response to rebels' ceasefire violations.
These helicopters are poised to respond to "any and all eventualities", according to officials from the UN mission in the DRC (MONUC).
Yesterday saw the worst fighting in a week and MONUC has condemned the violations while calling on both parties to uphold the ceasefire in order to give the peace process a chance to succeed.
Monday's aggression also resulted in the seizure of several localities by rebel troops, uprooting even more civilians who fled from the fighting.
Since August over 250,000 people are expected to have been displaced, making the humanitarian situation extremely desperate even with the combined effort of the World Food Programme and the UN's high commissioner for refugees.
MONUC has committed its efforts to help humanitarian organizations relocate the 60,000 displaced people away from the areas most exposed to danger in the Kivu province. These people are now located in Kibati, which is just south of rebel lines, making the city extremely vulnerable.
Rebel leader general Laurent Nkunda has expressed cooperative support for the ceasefire and humanitarian efforts, despite yesterday's aggression.
In a meeting with the UN secretary general's special envoy, Gen Nkunda increased his demands however, calling for protection for all minorities; direct discussion with the government on politics, economics, and security; and rank-appropriate rebel integration into the national army.