This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7685235.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Congo terror after LRA rebel raids Congo terror after LRA rebel raids
(about 2 hours later)
By Thomas Fessy BBC News, Dungu Raphael Kumbowando, a village chief in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, is slowly recovering after being attacked by rebels from across the border with Uganda.By Thomas Fessy BBC News, Dungu Raphael Kumbowando, a village chief in north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, is slowly recovering after being attacked by rebels from across the border with Uganda.
"They hit me on the neck with a wooden stick several times," he told the BBC."They hit me on the neck with a wooden stick several times," he told the BBC.
"As I fell, blood was coming out of my ears, my nose and my eyes. They kept on beating me until I fainted," he added, while showing scars on his neck and on his back."As I fell, blood was coming out of my ears, my nose and my eyes. They kept on beating me until I fainted," he added, while showing scars on his neck and on his back.
Raphael Kumbowando says he was left for dead "When they thought that I was dead, they pulled me over 35 metres further and buried me in a hole with leaves to cover my body."Raphael Kumbowando says he was left for dead "When they thought that I was dead, they pulled me over 35 metres further and buried me in a hole with leaves to cover my body."
Mr Kumbowando was left unconscious but he eventually managed to escape and reached the town of Dungu four days later.Mr Kumbowando was left unconscious but he eventually managed to escape and reached the town of Dungu four days later.
Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes after the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) fighters raided 16 villages, according to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in DR Congo, known as Monuc.Tens of thousands of people have fled their homes after the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) fighters raided 16 villages, according to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in DR Congo, known as Monuc.
Some of them walked up to 80km (50 miles) through the bush to reach Dungu, where local people have been sharing their few possessions with them.Some of them walked up to 80km (50 miles) through the bush to reach Dungu, where local people have been sharing their few possessions with them.
'Kidnapped''Kidnapped'
"We came over here because the LRA looted and burnt our houses," says Therese Zangabayi, who fled from Kiliwa, a village north of Dungu."We came over here because the LRA looted and burnt our houses," says Therese Zangabayi, who fled from Kiliwa, a village north of Dungu.
They encircled us and forced us to follow them deep in the bush up to the River Dungu Jean-Beni Gaubamako, 15 "They killed our local chief and then kidnapped children from school. They killed people with axes and machetes. They burnt down all houses before they left."They encircled us and forced us to follow them deep in the bush up to the River Dungu Jean-Beni Gaubamako, 15 "They killed our local chief and then kidnapped children from school. They killed people with axes and machetes. They burnt down all houses before they left."
According to official sources, about 1,000 LRA fighters are estimated to be operating in the area.According to official sources, about 1,000 LRA fighters are estimated to be operating in the area.
They moved from their original bases in Uganda - where they have fought a 20-year rebellion - and South Sudan to DR Congo in 2005 and have set up camps in the Garamba National Park.They moved from their original bases in Uganda - where they have fought a 20-year rebellion - and South Sudan to DR Congo in 2005 and have set up camps in the Garamba National Park.
These are the worst attacks since their arrival and come five months after the group backed out of signing a peace agreement because of international arrest warrants against its leaders.These are the worst attacks since their arrival and come five months after the group backed out of signing a peace agreement because of international arrest warrants against its leaders.
Monuc says at least 52 people were killed while 159 children and 10 adults were abducted.Monuc says at least 52 people were killed while 159 children and 10 adults were abducted.
Most people were killed or captured on 17 September when the LRA simultaneously attacked several villages.Most people were killed or captured on 17 September when the LRA simultaneously attacked several villages.
Buried aliveBuried alive
Survivors say they saw many dead bodies on the road and in the bush.Survivors say they saw many dead bodies on the road and in the bush.
His daughter Kuri, 15, and his three younger sons were kidnapped by the Ugandan rebels and are still in the bush. Raphael's daughter Kuri, 15, and his three younger sons were kidnapped by the Ugandan rebels and are still in the bush.
If they [the displaced] have humanitarian assistance, they can become a target UNHCR's Holly Berman Fifteen-year-old Jean-Beni Gaubamako was lucky enough to escape after he was captured by rebels in Kiliwa.If they [the displaced] have humanitarian assistance, they can become a target UNHCR's Holly Berman Fifteen-year-old Jean-Beni Gaubamako was lucky enough to escape after he was captured by rebels in Kiliwa.
Still shocked, he struggles to find words to talk about his experience.Still shocked, he struggles to find words to talk about his experience.
"They came when we were at school," he says."They came when we were at school," he says.
"They encircled us and forced us to follow them deep in the bush up to the River Dungu."They encircled us and forced us to follow them deep in the bush up to the River Dungu.
"We were bound but I had a knife in my pocket. I cut my laces and passed it on to the girl next to me."We were bound but I had a knife in my pocket. I cut my laces and passed it on to the girl next to me.
"She cut her laces and passed the knife to another one. Then, we started to run.""She cut her laces and passed the knife to another one. Then, we started to run."
Jean-Beni has been looking for his family since he arrived in Dungu and says he does not know where his parents are.Jean-Beni has been looking for his family since he arrived in Dungu and says he does not know where his parents are.
TearsTears
In Bamo Kandi, a northern area of Dungu, two displaced women mourn their six-year-old son and grandson.In Bamo Kandi, a northern area of Dungu, two displaced women mourn their six-year-old son and grandson.
Monuc are provding military support to an army base in DunguIn tears, they say he died shortly after he fell sick because he had to sleep outside in the heavy rains. Monuc are providing military support to an army base in DunguIn tears, they say he died shortly after he fell sick because he had to sleep outside in the heavy rains.
Displaced people have not received any assistance yet.Displaced people have not received any assistance yet.
Aid agencies said they cannot start their operations as insecurity was too high.Aid agencies said they cannot start their operations as insecurity was too high.
"We have to plan it very carefully because trying to bring in assistance in a situation that's very volatile can sometimes in itself cause protection problems for the people," says Holly Berman, senior protection officer at the UN refugee agency."We have to plan it very carefully because trying to bring in assistance in a situation that's very volatile can sometimes in itself cause protection problems for the people," says Holly Berman, senior protection officer at the UN refugee agency.
"If they have humanitarian assistance, they can become a target.""If they have humanitarian assistance, they can become a target."
Moreover, questions have been raised on how to access Dungu, an isolated town with an airport where plans with heavy loads are unable to land.Moreover, questions have been raised on how to access Dungu, an isolated town with an airport where plans with heavy loads are unable to land.
However, now that assessments have been done, aid agencies hope that some humanitarian help will become available soon.However, now that assessments have been done, aid agencies hope that some humanitarian help will become available soon.