In the heart of the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where conflicts persist between the Congolese armed forces and the Rwandan rebels of the M23, the UN is sounding the alarm on the need to instil a process broader policy to address the humanitarian crisis plaguing the region.
In a frustrated speech to the UN Security Council, Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, strongly criticized the indifference and inaction of member states in the face of the worsening situation security and humanitarian, particularly along the border between the DRC and Rwanda.
Citing a climate of global chaos accentuated by the lack of coordination within the Security Council, Grandi stressed the urgency of broader political commitment to achieve a lasting resolution to the crisis. He recalled Congolese President Tshisekedi’s initiative to strengthen cooperation between UNHCR and Rwandan authorities to overcome the challenges of forced displacement at the border, while stressing that without an adequate policy framework, humanitarian progress risks being hampered and victim support compromised.
The situation in the DRC is riven by endemic violence that places the east of the country among the most dangerous places in the world, particularly for women and children. Grandi, who has in-depth knowledge of ethnic complexities and regional issues, deplored the non-respect of displaced areas by armed groups, thus exposing civilians and humanitarian workers to constant danger.
Challenging the collective conscience, Grandi wondered how it is possible that so little attention and action is given to a region where child exploitation is rife, to the point where sexual abuse can be bought for price of a simple drink.
Despite this alarming picture, Grandi remains convinced that it is not too late for the Security Council to mobilize and implement concrete actions to resolve the outstanding crises and come to the aid of the millions of displaced people while respecting their will and their dignity.
Last March, the UN had already sounded the alarm on the escalation of the conflict in the DRC, warning of gender-based violence, massive displacements and famine which threaten the country with imminent catastrophe. To end this humanitarian crisis, it is imperative to address the roots of the conflict, including the exploitation of natural resources, gender inequalities, and development deficiencies.
Faced with this worrying scenario, it is imperative that the international community mobilizes urgently and determinedly to provide lasting solutions to the conflicts tearing the DRC apart and thus guarantee a more serene future for its battered population.