Title: The humanitarian crisis in the Kanyaruchinya refugee camp in North Kivu in the DRC
Introduction :
The armed conflict and crimes against peace plaguing the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have led to a major humanitarian crisis. In the Kanyaruchinya refugee camp, located in North Kivu, thousands of people live in deplorable conditions, exposed to violence and disease. The delegation of the National Fund for Reparations for Victims of Sexual Violence Linked to Armed Conflicts and Crimes Against the Peace of Humanity (FONAREV) went to the site to assess the situation and take emergency measures. In this article, we will look at this humanitarian crisis and the actions taken to remedy it.
Context and living conditions in the Kanyaruchinya camp:
The Kanyaruchinya refugee camp, on the outskirts of Goma, shelters around 47,000 households who fled the advance of M23 rebels in Nyirangongo territory. These refugees live in extremely precarious conditions, with insufficient access to food and exposed to violence. Contagious diseases, such as measles and cholera, also spread due to poor hygiene. Testimonies from refugees indicate an urgent need to return to their villages of origin, accompanied by the Congolese armed forces (FARDC), because their lands are occupied by unknown people.
FONAREV mission and actions undertaken:
The FONAREV delegation, led by Lucien Lundula Lolatui, was deeply touched by the deplorable living conditions of refugees in the Kanyaruchinya camp. She is committed to setting up aid programs to improve the living conditions of refugees, particularly in terms of housing, care for school children and women victims of sexual violence. The delegation also met with the leaders of the North Kivu province to discuss the overall humanitarian situation and priority actions to be undertaken.
Strengthening FONAREV interventions and commitment to victims:
Faced with the pressing needs on the ground, FONAREV’s visit to Kanyaruchinya should lead to a strengthening of the organization’s interventions in North Kivu. The objective is to provide support to sites hosting internally displaced people. FONAREV makes a point of working to respect the life and dignity of refugees, and is committed to carrying out the missions entrusted to it.
Conclusion :
The humanitarian crisis in the Kanyaruchinya refugee camp in North Kivu in the DRC reflects the distress experienced by thousands of people forced to flee violence and armed conflict. FONAREV plays an essential role in helping victims, by setting up programs to improve their living conditions. It is thanks to these initiatives and the mobilization of all parties involved that we will be able to confront this humanitarian crisis and restore a semblance of stability in the region.