“The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) recently announced the closure of its offices in Kalemie and Lubumbashi,” said Wannes Carlier, head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Kalemie, during a press conference. This decision comes in the context of an improvement in the security situation in the former Greater Katanga, with a reduction in armed conflicts and humanitarian needs.
According to Wannes Carlier, local populations need less and less assistance from the ICRC to meet their humanitarian needs. In the provinces of Haut-Katanga, Lualaba and Haut-Lomami, there has been a marked improvement in the situation in recent years. In the province of Tanganyika, the lull was caused by the pacification process and the reduction in humanitarian needs linked to armed conflicts.
The closure of the Kalemie and Lubumbashi offices does not, however, mean a complete withdrawal of the ICRC from the region. Indeed, a small team from Kalemie will be relocated to Uvira, from where it will be able to continue providing humanitarian assistance in northern Tanganyika.
This decision is part of a positive dynamic, where local communities are becoming more and more accessible and autonomous in the management of their needs. However, the ICRC maintains its commitment to the Congolese population and will continue to provide assistance where it is needed.
This announcement highlights the importance of carefully monitoring the evolving security and humanitarian situation in the region, while adapting humanitarian interventions accordingly. The ICRC will remain a key player in protecting and assisting populations affected by conflict, while adapting to changes occurring on the ground.