Renewed violence in eastern DRC threatens civilians amid Ebola outbreak: UN

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Renewed violence in eastern DRC threatens civilians amid Ebola outbreak: UN

2026-06-06 16:01 Last Updated At：06-07 16:18

Increased deadly attacks in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) this week isolate communities and threaten Ebola response, UN humanitarians warned on Friday.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the intensifying violence is claiming civilian lives and severely restricting humanitarian access in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

OCHA said that in North Kivu, local authorities reported an armed attack in Beni territory on Tuesday night that killed at least 24 civilians and triggered fresh displacement.

In neighboring Masisi territory, heavy clashes on Wednesday prompted more residents to flee their homes, compounding a crisis that has displaced 270,000 people as of May.

"The renewed violence has compelled humanitarian organizations to restrict movements in several areas, further limiting access to affected populations," said OCHA.

The office said that in South Kivu, local authorities reported hostilities on Wednesday in the Fizi and Mwenga territories, which reportedly involved the use of drones, sparking more displacement. Over the past two years, insecurity in the areas has cut off more than 165,000 people from regular assistance.

"OCHA expresses grave concern that ongoing violence in the two eastern provinces could hinder the response to the Ebola epidemic as well as ongoing humanitarian assistance," the office said.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said Friday that there have been Ebola cases reported in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.

Ebola and the insecurity make humanitarian work, which is already challenging, even more complicated, he said.

OCHA said life-saving assistance continues wherever possible, despite the challenges. Since April, humanitarian partners have provided cash assistance to more than 8,000 people in Beni territory.

OCHA said the United Nations is calling on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and provide unimpeded, safe and sustained humanitarian access.

Panda TV favorites share meal at tree-stump table

Zi Rui and Ao Ke, two giant pandas featured in the Chinese television series Panda's Family, are seen lounging on opposite sides of a tree stump piled with bamboo shoots at a conservation base in southwest China.

Zi Rui sits on the left, holding a long shoot in her paws, while Ao Ke leans back across from her. Another clip shows him enjoying the bamboo on his own.

The footage was filmed on Oct 20 at the Dujiangyan base of the China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda in Sichuan Province and released on Nov 6 and 9.

Both pandas were born in 2023, Zi Rui in July and Ao Ke in August. Ao Ke is known for sticking close to his keepers, and fans have dubbed him the"best-looking" panda among the center's cubs born that year.

The two grew up together, though they are not siblings. Zi Rui's mother, Rui Rui, also cares for Ao Ke while his mother, Xian Xian, raises his twin brother Ao Ran in a program preparing him for possible release into the wild.

Wild training is one part of the center's work to breed and conserve giant pandas. It also collaborates with 18 zoos in 16 countries and regions, 39 animal care institutions in China and more than 10 research institutes.