The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has strongly condemned the bomb explosion, which occurred at a refugee camp in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Monday.
The bomb was detonated in the late hours of the day in Zaina Camp located at the exteriors of Sake in the province of North Kivu, with several people especially women and children killed.
“It is unthinkable that families fleeing violence were killed and injured in a place that was supposed to offer safety,” UNICEF representative in the DRC, Grant Leaity, said.
“We call on all parties to the conflict to protect the lives of innocent civilians, especially children. We urge the government to hold perpetrators to account and strengthen protections for children and their families.
The demand for humanitarian aid has increased due to the escalation of the fighting in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in recent months.
The number of displaced persons in the North Kivu province recorded in January 2024 was higher than those displaced in January 2023.
The total of 1.1 million people have now been displaced in the province, thereby increasing the need for refugee camps in the region.