UN Chief Condemns Death of UNICEF Worker in DR Congo Strike. Kinshasa, DR Congo — The United Nations Secretary-General has expressed profound outrage over the killing of UNICEF worker Karine Buisset in a drone strike on a building housing aid workers in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday in New York, U.
N. Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric described Buisset as a dedicated humanitarian who tirelessly supported children and families affected by conflict and crises.
According to Dujarric, the incident is the second killing of a humanitarian worker in the DRC this year.
Since January, at least 92 incidents affecting humanitarian workers have been reported across the country. Last year, more than 650 such incidents were recorded, resulting in 13 humanitarian workers killed and 41 injured in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, Tanganyika, and Maniema.
The M23 rebel group and local residents reported a series of drone strikes on Lake Kivu and a private residence located near the home of former Congo President Joseph Kabila Kabange.
The rebel group attributed the attack to the government, which has not yet responded to an AP request for comment. They said the attack killed three people, but the number could not be immediately confirmed. Dujarric emphasized that all parties must ensure the protection of civilians and those providing lifesaving assistance, stating, “Humanitarian personnel must never be a target.”.
The U. N. Mission in the country, MONUSCO, has responded to provide emergency support and conduct an initial assessment of the strike.
