### The Humanitarian Crisis in South Kivu: Beyond the Numbers
The recent report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlights an alarming situation in the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Between 4 and 20 January 2024, no fewer than 178,000 people from North Kivu sought refuge in Minova, fleeing an escalation of violence between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the M23 rebels. However, beyond the numbers and statistics, this human tragedy deserves further analysis and reflection on the cycle of violence affecting this region.
#### A Cathedral of Suffering
Recent tragic events, such as the two deaths caused by shelling in Minova and the gang rape of five teenage girls, are reminders that this area has become a cathedral of suffering, where horror is part of the daily lives of residents. The OCHA report not only raises immediate concerns, but also highlights a dynamic of violence that appears to be rooted in the country’s history.
It is pertinent to examine why such barbaric acts continue to occur in this region. The DRC has experienced decades of armed conflict, fueled by coveted natural resources, ethnic rivalries, and a lack of sustainable governance. Armed conflict in the DRC has been estimated to have caused nearly six million deaths since 1998, a figure that does not include indirect consequences such as malnutrition and epidemics.
#### The Multiplied Impact of Armed Conflict
The consequences of this violence have a lasting impact on displaced populations. OCHA reports a restriction of humanitarian access, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts, which considerably complicates the situation of displaced people seeking assistance. The spread of conflicts to South Kivu has also given rise to a rise in criminal acts targeting humanitarian actors, revealing a crisis within the assistance needed for victims.
Recent statistics show that the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance has skyrocketed. In 2023, nearly 27 million Congolese required assistance, a figure greater than the total population of several countries. In addition, the lack of security and access to basic medical services further aggravates the suffering of victims, as illustrated by the urgent need to transfer the wounded to Goma for care.
#### Insufficient International Response
In the face of this crisis, one might wonder whether the international community is doing enough. The lack of adequate responses is a reminder that the world often looks at these disasters through the prism of numbers rather than the human lives they affect.. While organizations like OCHA are doing vital work, the scale and complexity of humanitarian crises require concerted action that goes beyond simply providing water and food.
The calls for action are clear: diplomacy must be strengthened and a substantial peace effort must be put forward to address the root causes of conflict. The United Nations and G7 countries, for example, must reconsider their priorities and allocate resources to long-term stabilization rather than focusing solely on short-term solutions.
#### Towards a Sustainable Future
It is crucial to imagine solutions that promote reconciliation between communities. Peace initiatives should include the voices of women, very often the first victims of conflict, as well as young people, who represent the future of the DRC. At the same time, strengthening local capacities in governance and conflict management could make a significant difference.
### Conclusion
The situation in Minova and the entire South Kivu province cannot be simply understood through the prism of displacement and violence. It is a call to the global conscience to act and rethink humanitarian response mechanisms. Human suffering, denial of fundamental rights and the absence of hope should never become the banality of our times. As a global community, we have the responsibility not to remain spectators but to become actors of the change needed for a sustainable future in the DRC. Thus, the time has come to transform these tragedies into meaningful actions to restore dignity and hope to millions of people.