To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate has been made of the number of people who have been displaced in Democratic Republic of the Congo as a result of the activities of the Lord’s Resistance Army since the beginning of 2009; which countries have received such people; and if he will make a statement. (294536)

According to a recent report by the UN Secretary General, 226,000 people have been displaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a result of the activities of the Lord's Resistance Army since the beginning of 2009.

We are aware that many displaced people from the DRC have moved to South Sudan. We are also aware that some refugees may have fled to Uganda and the Central African Republic.

We strongly condemn the atrocities committed by the Lord's Resistance Army in the northern DRC and throughout the Great Lakes Region of Africa. They have committed appalling human rights abuses against the civilian population, including mass executions and abductions. The UN Mission to the DRC, MONUC, has increased its presence in the north of the country, after being urged to do so by the UK and other governments. MONUC is providing logistical support to humanitarian organisations, which are providing relief to the civilian population.

We also strongly urge co-ordination between the different peacekeeping missions in that region of Africa.