Kwamouth, in Maï-Ndombe, a humanitarian crisis forgotten by the world
In the province of Maï-Ndombe in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a silent and forgotten humanitarian crisis has been going on for more than a year. The Kwamouth region, the scene of deadly violence, is at the heart of this humanitarian disaster. According to the report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 3,000 deaths have been recorded since the conflict began in June last year.
The situation is alarming. More than 150,000 people have been displaced, some finding refuge in refugee camps, others fleeing to the neighboring provinces of Kwilu, Kwango and even to the outskirts of Kinshasa, the capital. The figures are frightening: 26 health facilities and 50 schools have been destroyed, leaving people without access to healthcare and depriving children of their right to education.
Food insecurity is also a worrying reality. The violence has seriously affected the agricultural sector, exacerbating an already precarious food situation. Before the crisis, a large part of the population was already affected by food insecurity, but today nearly 80% of the displaced people depend on agriculture for their survival. The consequences are devastating, with high levels of malnutrition and children succumbing to health complications related to malnutrition.
Faced with this humanitarian crisis, the actors on the ground find themselves overwhelmed by the needs. Medical supplies, shelter, household items, access to health care and economic inclusion are all urgent needs. Unfortunately, persistent insecurity and the degraded state of infrastructure make humanitarian operations difficult and limit access to affected populations.
It is therefore essential that the international community mobilize to support the humanitarian efforts in the Kwamouth region. Additional resources are needed to provide emergency aid, rebuild destroyed infrastructure, support farmers in their recovery and ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable populations.
It is time to remind the world of this forgotten humanitarian crisis and to take concrete action to end the violence, protect civilians and rebuild a better life in this part of Congo. It is our duty to act and support those trapped in this crisis, offering them hope and the possibility of rebuilding themselves