The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) today expressed grave concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation civilians face in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC, DR Congo). UNHCR said intensifying violence and conflict are taking a heavy toll on innocent civilians, including hundreds of thousands who are attempting to seek safety on the fringes of the conflict zones.
Since the resurgence of fighting around the town of Sake in the North Kivu Province earlier this month, at least 144,000 people have been forced to flee the outskirts of Goma. They have fled indiscriminate bombings that have impacted displacement sites and other civilian areas in recent weeks, killing and injuring civilians.
"While conflict around Sake rages, emboldened non-state armed groups have launched a horrific spate of targeted attacks against civilians this week in the Beni region of North Kivu, as well as in the Irumu Territory of Ituri Province," said UNHCR spokesperson Eujin Byun.
He said UNHCR’s protection monitoring teams have received reports of killings, kidnappings, and the burning of homes.
“UNHCR condemns these atrocities against civilians and displaced populations and urgently calls for a cessation of hostilities across the eastern provinces to safeguard civilian lives,” Byun said.
The plight of the newly displaced in eastern DRC is compounded by the already dire humanitarian situation. More than 7 million people remain displaced throughout the country, including half a million refugees. Displaced women, children and men already face high risks associated with inadequate shelter, poor sanitation and limited income-generating opportunities.
“UNHCR has successfully advocated with local authorities for the extension of two displacement sites on the periphery of Goma and, with other humanitarian agencies, plans to deliver 900,000 shelters in 2024, nearly double the 500,000 built last year,” Byun said.
The situation around Goma in North Kivu province has deteriorated rapidly over the past two weeks, with a significant escalation in violence and security threats. The situation remains highly volatile, with implications for regional stability, as neighboring Rwanda supports the M23 armed group.
Since the first week of February, armed clashes between the Congolese army (FARDC) and the M23 rebel group have been reported in various areas of North Kivu, particularly in Mweso and Katsiru in Masisi territory, and most recently towards the town of Sake.
The latest conflict in the eastern DRC has created catastrophic conditions for the local population. Over the past two weeks, heavy fighting has moved 25 kilometers west of Goma, where children and their families have been caught in a deadly crossfire.
These clashes, which reportedly include the use of heavy artillery, pose significant risks to civilians and humanitarian workers, and have led to a surge in displacement, with massive movements into already overcrowded displacement sites.
On Thursday, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) called for immediate action to protect children and families caught up in the escalating violence in eastern DRC.
Both agencies warned that an increasing number of people, including children, have been wounded or killed near makeshift camps. UNICEF and WFP urged all parties to the conflict to prioritize the protection of civilians and allow humanitarian agencies to do their work.
“Children in DRC need peace now,” said Grant Leaity, UNICEF Representative in the DR Congo. “We are calling for children to be protected in this war and for an end to this violence through renewed efforts to find a diplomatic solution. We are extremely concerned about the safety of children and their families in and around camps in Goma.”
Recent fighting has triggered a huge movement of people into already overcrowded displacement camps. An additional 215,000 people have joined the 500,000 already displaced in areas around Goma; separately, tens of thousands of others have moved towards Minova in South Kivu, the agencies reported.
The increase in violence and displacement is straining the resources of both agencies to provide a comprehensive response that includes food, clean water, good sanitation, safe shelter, basic health care and protection services for women and children.
In addition, key land routes that facilitate the delivery of food and other supplies have been cut off, causing shortages and price spikes in Goma's local markets.
“We are facing a humanitarian catastrophe of massive proportions,” said Peter Musoko, Country Director and Representative for WFP in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). “Make no mistake: If we do not act now, lives will be lost.”
WFP is appealing for US$300 million, while UNICEF is seeking $400 million for the next six months to help those in need.
The DRC has become one of the continent's largest internal displacement crises, with 6.9 million people displaced, mainly due to conflict in the east. Last year alone, an estimated 1.6 million people were forced to flee their homes.
To address the growing humanitarian needs in the DRC, the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) was launched on Tuesday, calling for US$2.6 billion to help some 8.7 million people across the country. In total, there are more than 25 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in the country, including an estimated 14.9 million children.
In addition, UNHCR on Thursday launched the 2024 Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) to provide protection and assistance to Congolese refugees in neighboring countries. The RRP requires $668 million to support nearly 1 million refugees and 1 million host communities.
Further information
Full text: UN Refugee Agency expresses alarm over escalating humanitarian crisis in eastern DR Congo, UNHCR, briefing notes, released February 23, 2024
https://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing-notes/un-refugee-agency-expresses-alarm-over-escalating-humanitarian-crisis-eastern
Full text: UNICEF and WFP demand action to protect children and unfettered humanitarian access in Eastern DRC, WFP / UNICEF, joint press release, published February 22, 2024
https://www.wfp.org/news/unicef-and-wfp-demand-action-protect-children-and-unfettered-humanitarian-access-eastern-drc