Last week, on March 4, the UNHCR published a new position concerning repatriations to the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), warning that citizens fleeing the conflict, as well as those outside the country who come from the area affected by the conflict, may need refugee protection based on international and regional judicial frameworks.

The humanitarian and security situation continues to deteriorate in the eastern part of the Congolese region, with hundreds of thousands fleeing to the northern areas of North and South Kivu, explained the UN agency in a press release.

Approximately 80,000 people have already fled from armed clashes to neighboring countries, around 61,000 arrived in Burundi between January and the beginning of March, according to the estimates of the UN Agency for Refugees.

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'One of the worst humanitarian crisis in the world'

Within these provinces there continues to be significant population movements. To date, only 17,000 people are still housed on sites for the displaced, in schools and churches near Goma, while another 414,000 in the last few weeks have been encouraged by the de facto authorities to return to their villages of origin, says UNHCR.

At least 209,000 people coming from these sites arrived on their own initiative in the territories of Masisi, Nyiragongo and Rutshuru, where basic services are not equipped for a sudden increase in population.

Eastern Congo remains one of the regions worse hit by humanitarian crisis in the world, states the UNHCR, adding that near the front lines, sexual violence and human rights violations are rampant, as well as looting and the destruction of private homes and civilian firms.

In the first two weeks of February, 895 rapes - an average of 60 per day - were reported to humanitarian actors in order to receive assistance.

Furthermore, unexploded war munitions represent a risk for children and peasants who are still trying to cultivate their land.

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Access to displaced people impeded

Humanitarian access to people on the move has been impeded by continual clashes, leaving many vulnerable persons without access to life-saving aid.

Given the widespread poor security conditions in these provinces and in the bordering areas, many others could be forced to cross the borders to find protection and assistance.

UNHCR calls on the neighboring states to register all those requesting asylum from DRC and to provide them with documentation. The asylum requests should be treated with fair, transparent and efficient procedures, including the use of an approach based on the first impression for identification, when applicable, in accordance with national and international law standards.

For those Congolese citizens outside the country who are considering voluntary return to the eastern Congo, UNHCR points out the importance of an informed decision-making process.

People should have access to updated and detailed information on security, governance and basic goods in the areas of origin to make fully-informed choices regarding their return.

The whole of Africa hosts over a million Congolese refugees, especially the countries neighboring Congo, which have a long history of protection and assistance.

UNHCR encourages those countries to continue to respect their obligations on refugee law and their humanitarian commitment and calls on the international community to increase the support to the hosting countries offering protection and assistance to DRC refugees.