The recent forum on solutions and solidarity for refugees, organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in collaboration with the National Refugee Commission (CNR), highlighted the challenges faced by refugees and their host communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This initiative, which was held on the sidelines of World Refugee Day, gave state, humanitarian and development actors the opportunity to examine the commitments made by the DRC during the World Refugee Forum in December 2023. .
The 11 commitments made by the DRC aim to support refugees and their host communities, by putting in place procedures for the identification and protection of stateless persons, by promoting the voluntary return of Congolese refugees outside the country, by promoting the inclusion of refugees in national health, education, and socio-economic inclusion programs, among others. These commitments, although laudable, come up against several constraints, notably the political weightlessness linked to the electoral period, security and financial constraints.
To ensure that these commitments come to fruition, the Representative of the High Commission for Refugees in the DRC called for increased support from the international community for the DRC. It is essential that the United Nations and international partners mobilize alongside the Congolese government to ensure adequate protection and assistance for refugees, while easing the burden on the DRC, hosting a significant number of refugees.
The situation of sites housing internally displaced persons and refugees remains worrying, particularly due to recurrent attacks and human rights violations. The need to respect the civilian and humanitarian character of these sites is essential to ensure the protection of forcibly displaced people. The UNHCR Representative stressed the importance of condemning such violations and ensuring that refugees and internally displaced people benefit from adequate protection.
Ultimately, the issue of refugees and internally displaced people in the DRC requires concerted action from the international community, Congolese authorities and humanitarian actors. It is imperative to implement the commitments made by the DRC to ensure a safer and more inclusive future for vulnerable populations in the country.