For over a year, the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo has reached alarming proportions. New outbreaks of violence, particularly in the east of the country, are forcing affected populations to experience repeated displacements. The DRC currently has 6.7 million internally displaced persons, in a context where the country is also facing severe flooding and a resurgence of measles and cholera epidemics, which have exacerbated the vulnerability of populations that have been battered by more than three decades of armed conflicts.
Beyond the immediate crises that require urgent attention, there are also chronic needs and vulnerabilities in the DRC. In 2024, it is estimated that nearly 25.4 million people will be in a situation of food insecurity, while acute malnutrition affects 8.4 million people, mainly children under 5 years old, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers.
"The humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached new heights this year, due to the worsening of certain conflicts, the emergence of new areas of tension, and climatic events that have led to disasters. Behind all these situations, there are men, women, and children who face very high levels of vulnerability," emphasized Mr. Lemarquis, Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs.
As a reminder, in 2023, the funding appeal was only 40% financed. This has enabled assistance to over 5 million people, but many needs remain unmet. "This leads to a tremendous amount of suffering, human tragedies, wasted lives. A lot of temporary situations that last too long. People want to go home and return to a normal life," insisted Bruno Lemarquis.
More than one million children are no longer attending school due to armed conflicts. "The situation is really dramatic. The international community should pay more attention to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With its unique potential in the world environmentally, in the mining sector and in tourism, Congo has a lot to offer to the world. It must find peace," stated Modeste Mutinga Mutushayi, Minister of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity.
Gisèle Tshijuka/Ocha
Launch of the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan in DRC estimated at 2.6 billion dollars
InternetKinshasaPolitics - The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the humanitarian community have just launched an appeal this Tuesday, February 20, for the mobilization of 2.6 billion dollars to finance the 2024 humanitarian response plan in the country. The funds will be used to provide vital assistance and protection services to 8.7 million people whose survival largely depends on emergency aid.