It is with great concern that the European Union has learned about the rapidly deteriorating situation in Kisangani.

Once more this means that large groups of refugees have to move further without assistance of any kind being able to reach them. In addition this means further suffering for the Zairean population.

The European Union calls on all parties to the conflict in eastern Zaire to respect the lives of both refugees and Zaireans.

The European Union, as the largest provider of humanitarian aid, urges all the parties involved to safeguard the humanitarian corridors that have just been opened by them in order to enable the delivery of the humanitarian assistance that is so urgently needed.

The European Union furthermore calls on all parties involved to look for ways and means to assist the large group of refugees, now concentrated near Ubundu, that cannot be reached under the present circumstances.