ICRC begins aid operation in DR Congo

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross began emergency aid operations in the war-torn North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The ICRC said Wednesday that after several days following the halt in violence between DR Congo government forces and the rebel National Congress for People's Defense in the country's eastern North Kivu province, aid operations are now fully under way.

ICRC officials say more than 400 tons of emergency food and water aid is being delivered, through a partnership with the Red Cross Society of DR Congo, to thousands of people displaced because of a surge in violence.

Officials say the violence has caused a serious humanitarian situation.

"The humanitarian situation is terrible. In the Kibati camps I saw people in extreme distress, including women and children and elderly people," said Max Hadorn, head of the ICRC delegation in North Kivu.

"To help them, we have set up an emergency operation to meet the most urgent needs: water, food and hygiene."

Officials are raising concerns that while the security situation is currently calm, it could deteriorate again rapidly.