GOMA, DR Congo, June 26 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher on Thursday met with leaders of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group in Goma, the capital of North Kivu Province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), over the humanitarian situation and protection mechanisms.

The meeting took place during Fletcher's two-day visit to the eastern DRC, his first mission to the area since the M23 seized control of Goma and surrounding territories.

On Thursday, Fletcher also held talks with leaders from the Congo River Alliance, a politico-military group allied with the M23.

"I came to this part of the country primarily to listen to local communities. Together with military authorities here in Goma, we addressed the urgent issue of civilian protection, particularly for vulnerable groups affected by the humanitarian crisis," Fletcher told reporters.

The UN has warned that humanitarian needs remain critical in the eastern DRC, exacerbated by a severe funding shortfall. Fletcher reaffirmed the UN's commitment to supporting ongoing relief efforts on the ground.

Security conditions in the eastern DRC have significantly deteriorated since January, amid a resurgence of fighting involving M23 rebels.

The group has taken control of several key cities, including Goma and Bukavu, displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians and worsening an already dire humanitarian emergency. Enditem