Fatshimetrie: The humanitarian challenges surrounding displaced people in eastern DRC
Since the start of the year, the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been the scene of an escalation of violence, endangering the lives of thousands of displaced civilians. Marie Brun, emergency coordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Goma, warned of the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the region, marked by clashes between armed groups and Congolese forces.
The alarming figures revealed by MSF are unequivocal: more than 1,700 cases of sexual violence in just one month, with 70% of these acts perpetrated at gunpoint. Women, the main victims of these abuses, are often attacked while collecting firewood, in already precarious conditions. Displaced people’s camps are not spared, becoming the scene of widespread sexual violence and even gang rape.
At the same time, heavy artillery fire between the warring factions has led to the deaths and injuries of numerous civilians, accentuating the humanitarian tragedy plaguing the region. The bombings affecting IDP sites have caused victims among already vulnerable populations, further weakening their situation.
Marie Brun highlights the extremely precarious living conditions in the camps, where hundreds of thousands of people live in promiscuity, without adequate access to hygiene, drinking water, or food. The displaced find themselves caught between armed groups, exposed to violence, disease and hunger, in a context of growing insecurity.
Faced with this humanitarian crisis which is worsening day by day, Marie Brun’s appeal is clear: it is imperative that all parties involved in the conflict respect the displaced camps, stop the fighting nearby, and guarantee the protection of civilians according to international humanitarian law. The emergency coordinator for MSF in Goma underlines the urgency of action to save lives and preserve the dignity of populations affected by this conflict.
In conclusion, the critical situation of displaced people in eastern DRC calls for international mobilization and concrete actions to put an end to the violence and guarantee access to humanitarian aid. It is time to act together to offer a safer and more dignified future to these populations traumatized by the horrors of war.