The humanitarian crisis in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to wreak havoc, prompting UN officials to issue an urgent call for mobilization in favor of the populations of North Kivu and Ituri . The Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in the DRC and Coordinator of Humanitarian Action, Bruno Lemarquis, recently led a two-day mission to Goma with ambassadors from several countries and heads of agencies of organizations humanitarian organizations to find solutions to the crisis.
During this mission, Bruno Lemarquis warned of the need for an even more robust, coordinated and effective humanitarian response to deal with an explosion of needs in the region. Indeed, nearly a million people have been displaced in one year following the resurgence of the M23 in the provinces of Rutshuru, Nyiragongo, Masisi and Lubero. During this same period, humanitarian needs have increased considerably, particularly in Ituri, where the situation is extremely difficult.
Bruno Lemarquis insisted on the importance of increased mobilization of financial resources and pressure at the international level on donors to meet the growing humanitarian needs in the DRC. According to him, “a person in need, wherever he is, is a person in need”, and the DRC deserves special attention to continue to be adequately supported.
Despite a significant increase in humanitarian needs in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri in recent months, the humanitarian response in the DRC is only 50% funded, according to Bruno Lemarquis. He called for greater mobilization to put the DRC under the radar and ensure sufficient protection for its vulnerable populations.
It is more than urgent to find solutions to meet the humanitarian needs in the DRC and to mobilize more resources to deal with this crisis which continues to wreak havoc. Citizens, governments and international organizations must all mobilize to find lasting solutions to this situation.