Democratic Republic of Congo: Alarming situation in the provinces of Ituri, North and South Kivu
The coordination of UN agencies recently activated the “Humanitarian Crisis” level to address the worrying security and humanitarian situation in the provinces of Ituri, North and South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the United Nations, more than 6 million people are currently displaced in these regions, living in extremely precarious conditions.
In a camp for displaced people in Bulengo, near Goma, we met Bahati Ndoole, a mother of six who lives in a shelter of just 4 square meters protected by a tarpaulin. She told us about their difficult daily life, where hunger is very present and food aid often arrives late. Some residents have even been forced to sell their belongings to be able to obtain food, while others find themselves in situations of prostitution. The situation is becoming more and more worrying.
Faced with this alarming reality, the UN inter-agency humanitarian standing committee has raised the urgency of intensifying humanitarian interventions in the three provinces. Particular emphasis is placed on gender-based violence, particularly affecting women of childbearing age. According to the deputy representative of UNFPA in the DRC, more than 1.2 million women are currently affected by this crisis.
However, security challenges in accessing displaced people’s sites remain numerous. UN agencies are therefore trying to mobilize more financial resources to help these displaced populations and are calling for a cessation of hostilities.
The situation in the DRC is complex and requires urgent attention from the international community. It is essential to ensure the safety of displaced people and implement durable solutions to meet their basic needs. The coordination and mobilization of all stakeholders are essential to address this humanitarian crisis which threatens millions of lives in the DRC.