Tracking: Fighting in Congo, Pakistan Earthquake

Published October 31, 2008 @ 07:01PM PT

Fighting in Congo:

- The ceasefire still appears to be holding, as civilians begin to return to villages surrounding Goma. Some say that they've had nothing to eat for days.

- Congolese civilians fleeing into Uganda have overwhelmed food, water, health and sanitation facilities in a number of Ugandan villages near the border. At least 8,500 refugees have arrived since August, including 600 today alone.

- The UN said it had received reports that refugee camps north of Goma - at Dumez, Nyongera and Kasasa - had been "forcibly emptied, looted and burned."

- There are also reports that some UN units - including Uruguayan and Senegalese troops - either fled the fighting or refused to deploy.

Pakistan Earthquake:

- One District Chief estimated on Friday that 95% of people affected by the earthquake still have not received assistance. The Pakistani army is trying to get aid to the area.

- According to the most recent OCHA situation report, the Pakistani Government estimates that the earthquake killed 150 people, and injured 250. In addition, 3,000 people are displaced, and over 15,000 homes destroyed. Civil society organizations estimate the death toll is around 200.

[Photo of Goma from BBC / AP]

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Author

Michael has worked for NGOs in Afghanistan, across east and central Africa, and Iraq. Prior to going overseas, he worked on a project providing assistance to the United Nations on the application of International Humanitarian Law to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.