07/06/2006

For years, there has been fighting in the mineral-rich province of Ituri near the border with Uganda. This has caused the deaths of at least 60,000 people since the late 1990s. Tens, if not hundreds, of thousands people are displaced in Ituri. Many fled ahead of fighting between government forces and a coalition of militia forces. “The people have no choice but to flee," displaced people told Refugees International in Ituri. This little boy’s family was displaced by the conflict in Rethy (a town north of Bunia, the district capital). He is about 4 years old and helps his family by carrying water home from a near-by well. As families struggle to survive, all children must assist in daily household duties.