Situation grave in DRC, says Ban Ki-moon

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KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- The humanitarian consequences of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo "have been grave," U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.

Ban, in a message delivered to a conference for East African states, expressed deep concern about the security situation in DRC.

Mutineers loyal to war crimes suspect and rebel Gen. Bosco Ntaganda are blamed with creating a humanitarian disaster in the DRC. They turned against the military in April, expressing frustration with the terms of a 2006 peace deal that saw their integration into the national army.

"The humanitarian consequences for civilians have been grave," Ban's message read.

More than 220,000 people were displaced by fighting in the country's North Kivu province during the past four months. Another 50,000 fled the country to neighboring Uganda and Rwanda, which is suspected of backing rebel forces.

Valerie Amos, the humanitarian relief coordinator for the United Nations, said less than half of the $791 million in funding for DRC relief efforts was on hand.

"While it is clear that there are competing humanitarian demands around the world, we must not forget the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo," she said in a statement.