LONDON, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Oxfam said it was appalled by massacres and abuses that are perpetrated with impunity against the civilian population of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mutineers with the M23 militia are blamed for widespread abuses against civilians in DRC. They waged a rebellion in April, which Oxfam said was creating a security vacuum in parts of the country.
Elodie Martel, country director for the aid organization, said massacres in DRC go unnoticed and large parts of the country are in a state of chaos.
"The lack of action to stop massacres and abuses against Congolese people is appalling," said Martel in a statement. "The United Nations, the Congolese government, regional governments, the international community, everyone needs to stop the catastrophe in Congo once and for all."
The U.N. Security Council last week called on "all armed groups" in DRC to put an end to the violence. Martel, however, said a general lack of attention on the conflict in DRC meant people are vulnerable to rape, extortion and death.
"They are fleeing for their lives and very little is being done to help," she said.
