INSECURITY, RED TAPE HAMPER AID RESPONSE IN EASTERN DRC: UN

NEW YORK, Jan 15 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Insecurity and administrative hurdles severely restrict aid access in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) despite a relatively calm period, Xinhua reported, quoting UN humanitarians on Wednesday.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said roadblocks are hampering life-saving operations in Fizi, Mwenga and Uvira in South Kivu.

"The area hosts more than 330,000 human beings who have fled conflict," OCHA said. "It is also facing a surge in cholera cases. In the first half of this month, health authorities in Fizi, Mwenga and Uvira reported more than 1,200 suspected cholera cases and 28 deaths."

The office said that while its humanitarian partners are scaling up their response, fighting and red tape continue to slow down their operations.

Key roads have been designated as zones of military operations, and armed groups reportedly confiscated at least three vehicles belonging to humanitarian partners since Dec. 22.

Restrictions on transport supplies across lakes have delayed the response to the cholera outbreak, said OCHA.

The office said it is engaging with local authorities to secure guarantees for humanitarian access to all the necessary areas. The United Nations also continues to urge all parties in the eastern DRC to respect international humanitarian law and principles, and to facilitate immediate, safe and unhindered access.

--BERNAMA-XINHUA