Emergency Relief Coordinator's statement on the the worsening humanitarian situation in the Republic of Congo

The Emergency Relief Coordinator is alarmed at reports of the worsening humanitarian situation in the Republic of Congo.
Fighting between members of the Ninja militia and government forces that began on 27 March in the Pool region has now spread into sections of the capital city, Brazzaville. United Nations humanitarian agencies confirm that 15,000 people have been internally displaced and that tens of thousands more are on the move. Assessment teams are being dispatched to those areas where access is possible to ascertain the numbers and conditions of the internally displaced persons. In Brazzaville, United Nations agencies are setting up inter-agency teams to devise a coordinated response to growing humanitarian needs.

The Emergency Relief Coordinator appeals to all parties to respect humanitarian principles, in particular those that provide for the protection of civilians in armed conflict, and allow humanitarian workers access to those in need.