Located in Ituri province, the humanitarian crisis continues to rage, affecting thousands of displaced people who have been struggling to receive food assistance for over a year. This dramatic situation has devastating consequences, with cases of death and malnutrition on the rise, particularly among children, the elderly and those living with disabilities. Testimonies from those responsible for the various displacement sites highlight the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate intervention.
The scale of this humanitarian crisis is staggering, with nearly 1.3 million displaced people spread across more than 60 sites, including six around the city of Bunia. The Kigonze site, for example, has not received food assistance since April 2023, leaving its 14,000 inhabitants in a critical situation. The weight of famine is felt poignantly, with eight deaths per month due to hunger and lack of medicines. In addition to the human losses, more than 250 cases of malnutrition have been recorded, testifying to the unimaginable suffering that reigns there.
The calls for help from the managers of these sites are a cry of distress in the face of the urgency of the situation. They stress that peace is the key to ending this unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Without peace, the displaced remain vulnerable, exposed to famine, disease and violence. Stabilizing the situation in their villages of origin is essential to ensure a sustainable and safe return to a normal life.
Sites such as Mongwalu, where more than 22 deaths have been reported in a few months, illustrate the gravity of the situation. Despite the efforts of humanitarian actors and local authorities, access to the most vulnerable populations remains difficult due to security obstacles imposed by the armed groups that control certain areas.
Faced with this humanitarian crisis that is worsening every day, it is imperative to act quickly to save lives and alleviate the suffering of the displaced. The international community, in collaboration with local authorities and humanitarian organizations, must redouble its efforts to provide life-saving assistance to populations in distress. It is time to act together to end this tragedy and offer the displaced people hope for a better future, based on peace, security and human dignity.