UNITED NATIONS, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Insecurity continues to impact humanitarian operations in North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including UN efforts to respond to the ongoing Ebola outbreak, a UN spokesperson said Wednesday.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, said at a daily briefing that according to local civil society organizations, at least 30 people were killed and a dozen others injured in a series of attacks in the province's Beni territory between July 13 and 19, and the violence has displaced civilians and restricted humanitarian access in affected areas.
At least six humanitarian organizations, including partners supporting the Ebola response, have suspended movements to several localities in Beni territory due to the deteriorating security situation, Dujarric said, quoting the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
As of July 20, national health authorities in the DRC had reported 2,473 confirmed Ebola cases across the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele and Tshopo, he said.
The United Nations, along with its humanitarian partners, continues to support the authorities in scaling up surveillance, laboratory testing, treatment and community engagement activities in all areas that have reported the Ebola virus, the spokesperson said.
"The UN reiterates its call on all parties to protect civilians and ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access," he said, adding that the safety of all health workers and humanitarian personnel remains essential to containing the outbreak and delivering assistance to everyone in need. ■