The United Nations has raised an alarm regarding the widespread and escalating violence in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). The region has been plagued by armed groups that have subjected civilians to terror for many years, resulting in a large number of people being displaced from their homes.
DR Congo, being a vast and mineral-rich country, now holds the highest number of internally displaced people in Africa, with 6.3 million individuals affected, according to the UN. Despite the immense humanitarian needs in the region, the funding for the response has remained low, with only 28 percent of the required funding being provided.
The eastern provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu are particularly focused on addressing the urgent needs of food, protection, and the prevention of treatable diseases. The recent attack on a displaced people’s camp in the northeast, which claimed the lives of 46 people, including children, further highlights the severity of the situation.
Bruno Lemarquis, the humanitarian coordinator in DR Congo, described the brutality inflicted by armed groups on local communities as unparalleled, emphasizing the immense suffering and the desperate need for humanitarian assistance. OCHA, the UN’s humanitarian agency, highlighted the combination of violence, natural disasters, poverty, and the lack of basic services as major factors contributing to the growing humanitarian crisis.
The situation is further compounded by disease outbreaks, including Ebola, measles, and cholera, which have significantly worsened the already dire circumstances. The UN and its partners remain fully committed to scaling up their response to address the critical needs of the affected population.
