"Forgotten crisis" in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

(Vatican Radio) The security situation in the Katanga province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also known as the "Triangle of Death", remains volatile.

Over 200,000 people have been displaced due to attacks, lootings and rapes by Mayi Mayi rebel fighters, says the spokesperson for the World Food Programme (WFP) Elizabeth Byrs.

She warns that the humanitarian situation is deteriorating in that part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“In Katanga province you have a forgotten crisis, a silent crisis,” she said. “And there is a place called the Triangle of Death, between the three cities Pweto, Mitwaba, and Manono. And inside this triangle, because of attacks on armed groups, the population has left, and they have taken refuge in the three cities.”

Byrs said the security situation is precarious: “There is a volatile security situation. There are constant attacks, lootings, rape. And the population first fled to the bush, and then they took refuge in the cities. And this is where the World Food Program is assisting them with food rations and also with humanitarian assistance.”

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