#### The ongoing conflict in eastern DR Congo forces thousands of refugees into perilous departures, revealing the human cost of war as men and women navigate dangerous waters to save their families.
### Desperate Escape: Congolese Families Swim to Safety Amid Rising Rebel Violence
### Desperate Escape: Congolese Families Swim to Safety Amid Rising Rebel Violence
#### As M23 rebels escalate their assault, many Congolese risk their lives crossing rivers to flee conscription and violence.
In eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the plight of those fleeing violence at the hands of M23 rebels has reached new heights as many opt to brave treacherous waters rather than face conscription or death. Jordan Bita, a 25-year-old Congolese man, recently made the harrowing decision to swim across the Rusizi river that serves as a boundary between DR Congo and Burundi, clutching a bin bag filled with his meager belongings.
"I managed to flee safely because I was crossing through the forest instead of the main road," he recounted, highlighting the pervasive danger of encountering M23 fighters, who have aggressively recruited men to fight in their campaign against the government.
Recent reports indicate that nearly 70,000 Congolese have sought refuge in Burundi over the last month as M23 rebels advance, having already seized the important cities of Goma and Bukavu within weeks. The situation has become increasingly dire, with Burundian troops mobilizing to monitor crossings as families desperate for safety flood across the river.
Bita was met on the Burundian bank by troops who thoroughly searched his belongings for weapons, a common procedure among fleeing individuals. After securing his family's essential food supplies—maize meal, peanuts, and beans—he continued towards a refugee camp in Rugombo, roughly seven miles away.
The river crossing isn't just risky; it has proven deadly. Witnesses report that at least 20 individuals have drowned in the Rusizi, while countless others remain unaccounted for. Clarice Kacindi, who lost her three-year-old child during a chaotic attempt to traverse the river, shared the emotional toll that the conflict has taken on her family. "M23 are making our lives very difficult. They must stop this war," she pleaded, expressing the loss of everything she once knew.
Refugees flood into makeshift camps where accommodations are cramped, with as many as 25 people sharing a single tent. Daily rations are limited, often leaving families with just one meal a day. Meanwhile, men attempting to cross into Burundi are being stopped at the border, forced to remain behind in Uvira to protect their city from M23 assaults.
Burundi's capacity to handle this sudden influx—over 10,000 troops are currently deployed in DR Congo to combat M23—has been challenged, igniting concerns that refugee numbers could lead to clashes with local communities. An official from the UN refugee agency stressed the need for support to ensure both refugee and host community safety.
The historical tensions between Burundi and Rwanda complicate the current crisis, with Burundi fearing that a deeper M23 foothold could empower Burundian rebel factions like Red Tabara.
Amidst the turmoil, stories of survival persist. Eighty-seven-year-old Magega Mwarui reflected on her life as a refugee who has crossed this river countless times, often facing danger along the way. Others like Charlotte Odile, who lost her husband to M23 violence, share a common hope for peace and a fresh start for their children.
With the conflict showing no signs of abating, the situation remains critical as aid organizations work tirelessly to provide safety and sustenance to those affected by the relentless surge of violence in the region.
"I managed to flee safely because I was crossing through the forest instead of the main road," he recounted, highlighting the pervasive danger of encountering M23 fighters, who have aggressively recruited men to fight in their campaign against the government.
Recent reports indicate that nearly 70,000 Congolese have sought refuge in Burundi over the last month as M23 rebels advance, having already seized the important cities of Goma and Bukavu within weeks. The situation has become increasingly dire, with Burundian troops mobilizing to monitor crossings as families desperate for safety flood across the river.
Bita was met on the Burundian bank by troops who thoroughly searched his belongings for weapons, a common procedure among fleeing individuals. After securing his family's essential food supplies—maize meal, peanuts, and beans—he continued towards a refugee camp in Rugombo, roughly seven miles away.
The river crossing isn't just risky; it has proven deadly. Witnesses report that at least 20 individuals have drowned in the Rusizi, while countless others remain unaccounted for. Clarice Kacindi, who lost her three-year-old child during a chaotic attempt to traverse the river, shared the emotional toll that the conflict has taken on her family. "M23 are making our lives very difficult. They must stop this war," she pleaded, expressing the loss of everything she once knew.
Refugees flood into makeshift camps where accommodations are cramped, with as many as 25 people sharing a single tent. Daily rations are limited, often leaving families with just one meal a day. Meanwhile, men attempting to cross into Burundi are being stopped at the border, forced to remain behind in Uvira to protect their city from M23 assaults.
Burundi's capacity to handle this sudden influx—over 10,000 troops are currently deployed in DR Congo to combat M23—has been challenged, igniting concerns that refugee numbers could lead to clashes with local communities. An official from the UN refugee agency stressed the need for support to ensure both refugee and host community safety.
The historical tensions between Burundi and Rwanda complicate the current crisis, with Burundi fearing that a deeper M23 foothold could empower Burundian rebel factions like Red Tabara.
Amidst the turmoil, stories of survival persist. Eighty-seven-year-old Magega Mwarui reflected on her life as a refugee who has crossed this river countless times, often facing danger along the way. Others like Charlotte Odile, who lost her husband to M23 violence, share a common hope for peace and a fresh start for their children.
With the conflict showing no signs of abating, the situation remains critical as aid organizations work tirelessly to provide safety and sustenance to those affected by the relentless surge of violence in the region.
