Two Red Cross volunteers have been killed by unidentified armed men while carrying out humanitarian work in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the organisation said on Wednesday.
The attack took place on June 16 in Kakumba village, in Walungu territory in South Kivu province, where the volunteers were working to improve access to safe drinking water for vulnerable communities.
The Congo Red Cross strongly condemned the killings, saying the two volunteers had been operating under the banner of humanitarian aid and within the strict framework of assistance to affected civilians.
“Violence against humanitarian personnel undermines humanitarian interventions and affects assistance to vulnerable populations,” the organisation said in a statement.
It called for stronger protection for humanitarian workers, warning that insecurity in eastern Congo continues to obstruct relief operations in areas where civilians are already facing severe hardship.
The Red Cross paid tribute to the two volunteers and said it would continue its humanitarian activities despite the persistent security challenges in the region.
Eastern Congo has suffered decades of violence involving armed groups, local militias and government forces. Fighting has intensified in recent months between AFC/M23 rebels and Congolese troops backed by the pro-government Wazalendo militia.