Thousands of civilians have fled their homes after clashes in the east of Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations' humanitarian arm said this evening.
"Military activity in the northwest of the Walikale region and in the southern part of the Lubero territory has led to the displacement of thousands of civilians, according to witnesses," said Mr Jahal de Meritens, head of the UN office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Congo (OCHA).
"Instability in the area means we don't have an exact number but one NGO (non-governmental organisation) estimates that 46,000 people are hiding in the forests of Pinga and Walikale," he said in a statement.