Hundreds of thousands flee after renewed violence in Congo EU authority: dengue fever and malaria are coming to Europe due to climate change

More than 200,000 people have fled the violence in eastern Congo since the end of October, according to the UN. About 237,000 people in the region are dependent on humanitarian aid, according to a statement Wednesday, with 16,500 of them seeking refuge in neighboring Uganda.

Violence between the military and the rebel group M23 in the Democratic Republic of Congo has escalated again since late October. The group emerged as a successor to the so-called National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP). The CNDP, which is mainly made up of members of the Tutsi minority, had already fought government forces and militias of the warring Hutu ethnic group about 15 years ago.

The Congolese army had even defeated the rebels of the M23 movement in 2013. However, since the end of March this year, the rebel movement has again been attacking civilians and military installations in eastern Congo and fighting the Congolese army. According to UN information, neighboring country Rwanda is supporting the rebel group.

The disputed region of Rutshuruin in North Kivu Province is rich in mineral resources. Congo, with its approximately 90 million inhabitants, has deposits of cobalt, gold and diamonds. However, political instability makes the country one of the poorest in the world. (saw/sda/dpa)