Two aid employees with Christian development charity Tearfund have been killed in an attack within the Democratic Republic of Congo.
They were attacked and killed while travelling in a convoy in Butembo, a serious industrial centre in North Kivu, a province within the east of the country.
Tearfund said it was “deeply saddened” by the “tragic deaths” of the help employees on Sunday, and that it was working to make sure the protection and security of its remaining staff within the country.
It called on political leaders within the DRC “to respect and protect aid employees, as mandated under international law, and to make sure their safety as they perform their vital mission”.
“Tearfund unequivocally condemns this horrific attack on humanitarian aid staff who were working selflessly to serve the people of the DRC,” it said.
“Tearfund is a non-political aid agency providing humanitarian assistance to essentially the most vulnerable communities within the DRC. Our priority now’s to supply support to the families of our deceased colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.”
North Kivu has been blighted since 2021 by fighting between the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) and the M23 rebel group, triggering a serious humanitarian crisis.
Last month the UN Joint Human Rights Office raised concerns in regards to the displacement of civilians and the suspension of operations by some humanitarian organisations because of the continued insecurity.
