The humanitarian situation in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC, DR Congo) has reached devastating levels as cyclical violence perpetrated by armed groups and subsequent displacement continues to impact millions of vulnerable civilians, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warned Saturday. The UN agency also expresses deep concern for the dire living conditions and human rights violations, including gender-based violence (GBV), faced by over 6.2 million internally displaced people (IDPs).
With 7.5 million displaced women, children, and men, the situation in the DRC is one of the world’s most complex and protracted humanitarian crises. While at least 6.2 million people are internally displaced, more than 1.3 million Congolese have crossed to neighboring countries to seek refuge.
In the eastern North Kivu Province, a staggering 1.2 million people have been forced to flee their homes since March 2022 when clashes between armed groups – mainly rebels from the Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) - and government forces reignited. More than 600,000, who have fled the violence, now endure dire living conditions in rudimentary shelters around North Kivu’s provincial capital, Goma. The makeshift structures are ill-equipped to withstand the extreme weather conditions.
To get a sense of the scale of the crisis and explore ways to improve life-saving assistance to displaced people in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, UNHCR Deputy High Commissioner for Protection Gillian Triggs and Deputy High Commissioner for Operations Raouf Mazou visited the country last week.
“In the absence of peace, the compounded risks faced by displaced people will continue to multiply, pushing families into greater desperation,” said Triggs as she witnessed the overwhelming challenges faced by affected communities.
“We must continue to advocate for the rights of women and girls who are suffering from this dire situation, in particular from sexual violence and abuse.”
According to UNHCR, in Beni, in North Kivu province, the high-profile delegation met recent returnees who have received shelter assistance. While the assistance has brought some relief, basic needs remain unmet, posing significant challenges for the returnee population.
Women in the community highlighted the challenges they face to provide food for their families, the UN agency said. The ongoing presence of armed groups in the region has resulted in restricted access to the fertile fields, preventing cultivation and hindering their ability to sustain themselves.
While the two Assistant High Commissioners participated in a distribution of blankets, tarpaulins, and other items at a spontaneous displacement site at Luchagara, just 13 kilometers from Goma, both emphasized UNHCR’s commitment to the communities.
“We remain committed to providing life-saving assistance and coordinating across key humanitarian services, including providing psychosocial care and provision of emergency shelter,” said Mazou.
“However, the massive scale of displacement, including 1.2 million people who have fled conflict in North Kivu since March 2022, is a major challenge that urgently requires more support from the international community.”
Women and children are often the worst affected by large-scale displacement crises. Humanitarian organizations on the ground are deeply alarmed by the increase in gender-based violence against women and girls in overcrowded displacement sites. According to UNHCR, of great concern is also the trend of increased engagement in transactional sex due to food insecurity faced by displaced households.
The UN agency said while insecurity persists and violent clashes continue to plague the region, opportunities for displaced people to return to their homes and livelihoods in safety and dignity remain limited.
In 2023, UNHCR has so far received only 29 percent of the required $233 million to meet the needs of displaced people in the country. Additional funds are urgently needed to continue to support displaced families in the DRC.
Eastern DR Congo is home to multiple armed groups, including the rebel M23 force, Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels, the CODECO armed group and Zaire militants. A dramatic resurgence of clashes between the M23 and the Armed Forces of the DR Congo began in March 2022. The humanitarian situation in the east of the country drastically deteriorated due to the escalation of the conflict in the North Kivu province.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world, and the situation in the country is one of the most neglected displacement crises globally. For decades, the country has endured multiple, overlapping emergencies driven mainly by conflict and forced displacement. The UN estimates that 26.4 million require humanitarian assistance in the country this year.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is a United Nations agency mandated to assist and protect refugees, displaced persons and stateless people. The organization is known by its short name, UN Refugee Agency. UNHCR was established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 14, 1950, to provide assistance to refugees from World War II. On January 1, 1951, the UNHCR began its work. Each year, the UN Refugee Agency helps millions of refugees and displaced persons worldwide. UNHCR is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has offices in 134 countries.
Further information
Full text: UNHCR calls for urgent support for 6.2 million people forcibly displaced by conflict in DR Congo, UNHCR press release, published June 3, 2023
https://www.unhcr.org/news/press-releases/unhcr-calls-urgent-support-6-2-million-people-forcibly-displaced-conflict-dr