 I was appalled by the atrocities I heard firsthand from these civilians in the Camp of Bunia. Children, mothers brutally attacked, wounded, maimed and killed. These people are being chased from their homes, fleeing the armed groups and receiving non-protection from the military and police forces who have also committed grave violations. I call on the authorities to do their utmost to introduce or expand the presence of security forces in the areas of conflict to ensure they protect civilians rather than prey on them. Protection of civilians is the responsibility of the state and when the state leaves the vacuum it puts these communities at great risk. In DRC past experience shows this can have catastrophic results. Some of these attacks and killings of civilians in the eastern provinces may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.