CAFOD is concerned at reports of renewed fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The fighting broke out this week in areas west of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, between the Congolese army and the rebel group M23. People in towns and living in camps have been caught in the crossfire.

People in Mugunga camps I and III and in Ndosho on the outskirts of Goma reported hearing heavy shelling nearby. For many previously displaced by fighting, this will be the fifth or sixth time they have had to flee in the last two years.

AMMAN/DUBAI, 24 May 2013 (IRIN) - Thousands of people are gathering in villages in southern Syria, unable to seek refuge in Jordan because of insecurity along the border or, according to some, new Jordanian security measures.

In Nasib village, just 2km from one of four border crossings between Jordan and Syria, there are 10,000 displaced people waiting to leave Syria, according to village imam Abu Omar. He said government security forces abandoned the village "long ago".

Preliminary Appeal Target: US$675,445

Balance Requested: US$675,445

Geneva, May 24, 2013

Dear Colleagues,

The conflict in Rakhine State started in June 2012 and resurged in October 2012 resulting in significant displacement. As of the beginning of April 2013, the number of people displaced in Rakhine State is at least 139,107. Approximately 111,000 IDPs are residing in Government designated camps while the rest are living in tents or with host families.

The President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Mr Tadateru Konoé, has concluded a visit to Syria where the humanitarian impact of the crisis is worsening.

ICRC country chief underlines need for a return to stability and to ensure humanitarian organizations have sufficient funds for their vital work in a country that is often far from the front pages.

Renewed fighting between government forces and the M23 rebel group north of the Provincial capital Goma has led to tension and increased insecurity in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

IOM maintains a strong presence as it continues to manage displacement sites surrounding Goma and provides humanitarian support to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Getting humanitarian supplies into conflict zones like Syria is no mean feat, often requiring negotiations with warring parties, braving insecurity and facing logistical challenges. But aid workers can it happen.

The communities of Montes de Maria in northern Colombia were some of the most affected during the armed conflict. With more than 50% of the population displaced, social cohesion was shattered, organizations and institutions were weakened and leaders disappeared. Today, communities are striving to overcome decades of violence and mistrust and learn how to work together again. Through the USAID-funded Colombia Responde program, Global Communities is teaching communities how to organize themselves and work with their local municipalities to take charge of their own development.

23 May 2013 – Arriving today in restive eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged all the leaders of Africa’s Great Lakes region to throw their support behind a recently-signed peace accord which aims to ensure security, as well as development, for the long-troubled country.