Residents of the Congolese town of Bunia cheered Friday as French troops began arriving in the violence-torn region. UNICEF says the hostilities are keeping it from aiding millions of people.

As many as 500 people have been killed in the eastern province of Ituri in the past month. That prompted the UN to authorize a 1,400-troop force led by France to go to the Democratic Republic of Congo to attempt to restore order.

Gianfranco Rotigliano, UNICEF's representative in Congo, said on Friday that UNICEF has been able to provide food and other aid to about 3,000 families.

But as many as 50,000 people have fled the city of Bunia into the surrounding areas trying to escape the violence, he said.

Between four and five million people in the region need help, but aid agencies can't get to them, he said.

In a news release issued Friday, UNICEF Canada calls for the international community to put an end to the violence and to hold those responsible accountable.

"Canada is a nation committed to human rights and it is essential that Canadians are aware these horrible acts are taking place," said David Agnew, president and CEO of UNICEF Canada.

The vanguard of the UN-backed force began arriving on Friday and set about securing Bunia's airport.

Canada is contributing some aircraft and about 50 soldiers to the force.

UNICEF is particularly concerned that some of the fighting in Congo is being done by child soldiers.

"Nobody knows exactly how many child solders are now in Congo," said Rotigliano. "In Ituri alone, we think that we have something between 8,000 and 10,000."