The United Nations says forced displacement is one of the world’s “most alarming” humanitarian crises.

More than 230,000 people have been displaced since the beginning of the year as violence escalates in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to the United Nations.

The UN refugee agency UNHCR on Friday described the displacement as the world’s “most alarming” humanitarian crisis.

The resource-rich eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, home to more than 4.6 million displaced people, have been mired in conflict for three decades, with the M23 rebel group becoming one of the most powerful armed groups in the region, according to the agency . in recent years.

Designated as a “terrorist movement” by the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, M23 seizes large swaths of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Since 2021, earlier this month, the town of Masisi in North Kivu province has been controlled.

Earlier this month, Bertrand Bisimwa, head of M23’s political arm, told Al Jazeera that the group was working with “Defensive” War.

“The escalating conflict between non-state armed groups and the Congolese army in the provinces of North and South Kivu is exacerbating the world’s most dangerous conflict,” UNHCR spokesman Eujin Byun told reporters in Geneva. One of the most shocking yet underreported humanitarian crises.”

Byrne warned that the conflict was “characterized by widespread human rights violations and large-scale forced displacement.”

Byun pointed out that heavy fighting in Masisi and Lubero areas between January 1 and 6 alone forced about 150,000 people to flee their homes. Many returned briefly during a lull in fighting on January 4, but were forced to flee again as new fighting broke out, according to the United Nations.

In the Fizi region of South Kivu province, the local government has requested international assistance, noting that 84,000 people have sought asylum there.

Byrne warned that civilians were being subjected to “indiscriminate bombings and sexual violence” and that children were also being targeted.

“The dire humanitarian situation has deteriorated rapidly, with insecurity, roadblocks and the presence of violent militants severely limiting access to these vulnerable groups,” Byrne added.

UNHCR said it was ready to provide assistance once access was restored but stressed that more funding was urgently needed.