Article: “The humanitarian crisis in the DRC: an alarming deterioration of the security situation”
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, particularly in the provinces of Ituri, North and South Kivu. The deterioration of the security situation has led to massive population displacements, plunging millions of people into inhumane living conditions.
In a recent statement, humanitarian organizations stepped up their efforts to respond to the worsening crisis in the east of the country. Over the past six weeks, more than 910,000 people have received aid and assistance in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri.
The interim humanitarian coordinator, Suzanna Tkalec, stresses the urgency of increasing the scope of humanitarian operations in these regions: “The humanitarian situation in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu, already catastrophic, has deteriorated in recent months. It is crucial to intensify our efforts to meet the multiple needs of those affected by the violence.”
Humanitarian actors estimate that an envelope of 1.57 billion US dollars is necessary to provide vital aid, in particular to fight against food insecurity, malnutrition, sexual violence and epidemics.
Since March 2022, more than 3.3 million people have been displaced in the provinces of Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu due to armed violence, bringing the total number of displaced to 5.6 million . Protection incidents are alarming, especially cases of gender-based violence which have already exceeded the figures for the whole of the previous year in the first six months of 2023.
Faced with this unprecedented humanitarian crisis, the United Nations, national and international NGOs, as well as the Red Cross, are committed to providing emergency aid to nearly 5.5 million people by the end of the year.
The international community must continue to support humanitarian efforts in the DRC and provide life-saving assistance to those who need it most. It is essential to put an end to this humanitarian crisis which has lasted for too long and to allow the people of the DRC to regain the security and dignity they deserve