I was shocked to learn that over 60 people have been killed and dozens more injured in the attack carried out by fighters from the armed group CODECO on a camp for internally displaced persons in Ituri in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I would like to extend my most sincere condolences to the victims and their families.

I condemn this cowardly attack in the strongest possible terms. It targeted defenceless people who had already fled violence and wanted nothing more than peace, protection and security. It is imperative that the responsible parties be held accountable.

The number of people who are internally displaced around the world currently stands at more than 55 million. They often live in particularly precarious situations, barely protected and with insufficient provisions. This attack demonstrates once again how important it is that we now join forces internationally to advance the protection of internally displaced people.