Fresh fighting in South Kivu province has forced communities to flee and left at least 10 civilians dead in Walungu territory alone, according to local authorities. “The violence is disrupting both economic life and the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid,” said OCHA.

Multiple rape cases

In nearby Kalehe, Minova hospital has reported multiple cases of rape and physical assault in recent days amid worsening insecurity. Meanwhile, clashes in Fizi territory last week led to health centres being looted and schools burned, threatening already fragile public services.

OCHA urged all combatants to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians. “Humanitarian access must be safe and unhindered,” the agency stressed.

The surge in displacement comes as eastern DRC remains gripped by fighting between the M23 rebel group and government forces, particularly in North Kivu. Since January, the violence has displaced hundreds of thousands.

In Walikale territory, civilians are trapped in a dangerous cycle of displacement and return, OCHA said, calling for strengthened protection and support for affected communities.

FAO/Giampiero Diana

Locust swarms can devastate crops and pastures in many parts of Africa and elsewhere.

Favourable weather fuels desert locust surge in North Africa

Unusually high levels of desert locust infestations have been reported during the current breeding season, raising alarms across affected regions, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned on Tuesday.

“Desert locusts remain among the most devastating migratory pests on the planet,” said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, emphasising the threat they pose to food security and livelihoods.

A single swarm of locusts can cover anywhere from one to several hundred square kilometres and may contain up to 80 million adult locusts. In just 1 km², they can eat as much food in a day as 35,000 people.

Feeding on crops and pastureland, they pose a threat to crops grown for both people and livestock, risking starvation in communities that depend on agriculture for survival.

Clement weather for pests

According to the FAO, favourable weather conditions have created suitable breeding grounds for the flying pests. Winds and rainfall patterns have facilitated the movement of desert locusts from the Sahel to North Africa.

The FAO recommends conducting intensive ground surveys across key areas where locust breeding is likely to occur.

The area spanning from south of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, through the Sahara in Algeria, and extending to southern Tunisia and western Libya is particularly at risk.

“Surveys and control operations are particularly urgent in locations where winter and early spring rains have created suitable breeding conditions,” said Cyril Piou, the FAO’s Locust Monitoring and Forecasting Officer.

Early detection and rapid response are critical to preventing a wider crisis, the UN food agency underscores.