Three aid workers kidnapped in east Congo
Thursday, 3 March 2016 18:38 GMT
Congolese soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) take a break during their offence against the rebels from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) in Kirumba village of Rutshuru territory in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, February 27, 2015. REUTERS/Kenny Katombe
Congolese staffers taken in North Kivu province where dozens of armed groups prey on locals and stop aid from reaching region
KINSHASA, March 3 (Reuters) - Three employees of international charity Save the Children were kidnapped on Wednesday in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the organisation said on Thursday, as insecurity in the region continues to hamper humanitarian efforts.
The Congolese staff members were taken at 3 p.m. (1300 GMT) in North Kivu province, Save the Children said. It declined to comment further or share the identity of the abductees, but said it was working to resolve the situation quickly.
North Kivu province, which borders Rwanda and Uganda, was ravaged by regional wars that killed millions between 1996 and 2003. Dozens of armed groups remain there, often preying on locals, exploiting the area's natural resources and stopping key aid from reaching the region.
At least 175 people were kidnapped for ransom in eastern Congo last year, according to Human Rights Watch. Many of the kidnappings appeared to be carried out by former and current members of armed groups.
Congo ranks 176 out 188 countries on the U.N. Human Development Index and is heavily dependent on aid from non-governmental organisations and U.N. agencies. (Reporting By Aaron Ross; Editing by Edward McAllister and Toby Chopra)