Thousands of displaced people in the Democratic Republic of Congo are in desperate need of food.

According to the UN, more than 80,000 people have been displaced by violence in eastern DRC and are in desperate need of food.

In North Kivu province, fighting between government soldiers and M23 insurgents has escalated in recent weeks.

Early this week, confrontations spread south to roughly 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Goma town, the province capital.

According to the UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs, Ocha, many who have been displaced have sought refuge in makeshift shelters, churches, and schools.

If the fighting continues, humanitarian agencies fear the worse for the refugees.

The province's governor's spokesperson stated in a statement on Wednesday that they were "fronted with this very frightening issue."

"The military governor of North Kivu province urges the people to be calm and attentive, and not to succumb to fear," added Gen Sylvain Ekenge.

M23 militants were thought to dominate positions roughly 25 kilometers from Goma town, but Gen Ekenge said the insurgents were being pushed back.