Fighting between M23 rebels and government forces has intensified near Goma, the capital of the eastern province of Nord-Kivu, since 20 May. As well as causing new civilian casualties, the clashes and the actions of some rebels are endangering many journalists and the availability of diverse, freely-reported news and information.

Reporters Without Borders has conducted a series of interviews with Nord-Kivu journalists and has spoken by phone with two M23 officials, Bertrand Bisimwa, the rebel movement’s political leader, and René Abandi, who is in charge of its external affairs.

May 24, 2013

Written by Carmen Tremblay, senior emergency response manager for CARE Canada. She travelled to Chad in April to support CARE’s emergency response to increasing humanitarian needs in the country.

Many of us do not think of Chad when we think of an emergency. The country is rarely in the news, dwarfed by larger conflicts around the world.

However, the landlocked state sits in a volatile neighborhood, with Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, Central African Republic and Cameroon to the south, and Nigeria and Niger to the east.

HIGHLIGHTS

● In the West Bank, Palestinian injuries from Israeli security forces in 2013 twice as high as in 2012.
● Children as young as seven detained by Israeli forces in Hebron, according to international monitors.
● Restrictions on entry of materials delay WASH projects in Gaza.
● Thirty per cent increase in displacement from demolitions in 2013 in the West Bank.

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.

Le porte-parole de Catherine Ashton, Haute Représentante de l'Union pour les affaires étrangères et la politique de sécurité et vice-présidente de la Commission, a fait ce jour la déclaration suivante:

"La Haute Représentante exprime sa préoccupation à la suite des combats qui ont éclaté en début de semaine près de Goma entre le mouvement du M23, groupe armé sous sanctions des !ations unies, et l'armée congolaise, et salue le cessez-le-feu annoncé hier.

05/24/2013 16:00 GMT

BUKAVU (RDCongo), 24 mai 2013 (AFP) - Une quarantaine de personnes, dont huit policiers, ont été blessées vendredi matin au cours d'affrontements interethniques à Bukavu, capitale de la province instable du Sud-Kivu, dans l'est de la République démocratique du Congo, a-t-on appris de source officielle.

"On compte une quarantaine de blessés, au nombre desquels 8 policiers", a déclaré à l'AFP vendredi après-midi le gouverneur du Sud-Kivu, Marcellin Cishambo, après une visite des centres de santé où sont pris en charge les victimes.

An effective Arms Trade Treaty that protects civilians from the devastating consequences of inadequately regulated arms transfers is urgently needed. One of the most important objectives of such a treaty must be to reduce the human cost of the availability of weapons. This can be achieved by setting clear norms so that transfers of conventional arms and ammunition are not authorized when there is a clear risk that the arms will be used to commit serious violations of international humanitarian law.

Faits saillants

• L’épidémie de choléra a fait sa réapparition au Mali. 21 cas ont été notifiés dans la région de Gao depuis le 8 mai.

• Le nombre des personnes en besoin d'assistance alimentaire immédiate est maintenant estimé à environ 1,4 million et celui des personnes à risque à environ 2,1 millions.

• Les personnes déplacées internes (PDI) sont estimées à 301 0271 par la commission Mouvement de Population au 21 mai tandis que les réfugiés Maliens dans les pays limitrophes étaient au nombre de 174 129 au 20 mai.