The high-ranking United Nations official, Volker Turk, believes that the situation of the displaced persons in Ituri is "deplorable" and requires joint efforts from the Government and its partners, including MONUSCO, to improve the living conditions of these vulnerable people.

"I must tell you that it breaks my heart to hear them and to know how they suffer because they cannot return to their places of origin. They told me they want efforts to secure their home ground", he said. The UN official also emphasized the importance of protecting civilians, stating that it was an absolute priority. He stressed the significance of addressing the underlying causes of conflicts that lead residents to flee their home environments.

Volker Turk also called for justice for victims of violence, highlighting the need to reform the judicial system to put an end to human rights violations.

Accompanied by the Congolese Minister of Human Rights and the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the DRC, Bintou Keita, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted the necessity of coordinated action to address this humanitarian crisis.

Osée Yandi, Intern