U.N. Paints Congo Helicopters Orange to Shield In opposition to Assaults

KINSHASA (Reuters) – The United Nations has painted vibrant orange its two white helicopters offering humanitarian reduction in jap Congo in an effort to guard them from militia assaults by distinguishing them from different plane.

Insecurity has worsened in east Congo since a insurgent group referred to as the M23 – one in every of many armed militias energetic within the area – launched a contemporary offensive final yr.

Humanitarian operations to assist the hundreds of civilians displaced by the preventing have been caught up within the preventing.

Final yr, the U.N. recorded 293 safety incidents that affected reduction missions to east Congo, ensuing within the dying of 9 humanitarian employees. Greater than 20 had been kidnapped final yr.

The U.N. Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) unveiled the 2 repainted World Meals Programme helicopters this week. Their color is supposed to keep away from confusion with the white ones utilized by the U.N. peacekeeping mission MONUSCO, which have been attacked up to now.

However a civil society activist within the metropolis of Goma was sceptical.

“This variation of color doesn’t change the fundamental downside, which is insecurity,” Stewart Muhindo instructed Reuters through phone.

“The truth that the humanitarian group is attempting to face out is proof that the United Nations system has failed in its peacekeeping mission,” he stated, reflecting widespread frustrations in opposition to MONUSCO that steadily spurs protests.

Eight peacekeepers had been killed when a MONUSCO helicopter on a reconnaissance mission crashed within the midst of insurgent preventing in March final yr. The federal government blamed the M23, which they denied.

In February, one other peacekeeper was killed when a helicopter operated by the mission got here underneath hearth whereas in mid-air.

(Reporting by Sonia Rolley; Modifying by Sofia Christensen and Alison Williams)

Copyright 2023 Thomson Reuters.