United Nations Radio

The situation is Rutshuru in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo-DRC is becoming worrisome for the UN refugee agency-UNHCR.

Congolese IDPs

The agency cites reports of rebels from Laurent Nkunda's militia pressuring internally displaced people seeking refuge in a makeshift camp close to the base of the UN peacekeeping mission to return to their villages.
UNHCR Spokesman Ron Redmond says some 10,000 internally displaced persons are sheltering around the peacekeeping mission's base, fearing reprisals from armed groups.

"UNHCR has received worrying reports that the rebels are stopping people trying to reach the site near the MONUC base. The rebel group has reportedly recruited youths to conduct night patrols and to prevent people from reaching the site."

UNHCR reports that most displaced families tend to go to their villages during the day but return to the makeshift camps before nightfall.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

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