News: Humanitarian emergency in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has launched an urgent appeal for help for displaced families in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These families, victims of violence, murder, looting and a measles epidemic, are in urgent need of food, drinking water and shelter.
According to the UNHCR, it is necessary to mobilize 232.6 million US dollars to meet the needs of these displaced people. However, to date only 40% of this amount has been raised.
Despite a joint declaration aimed at strengthening the humanitarian response in this region, organizations present in eastern DRC have only received the funds necessary to help 2.7 million people out of the 5.5 million who need it urgently.
In a recent report, UNHCR noted more than 8,000 cases of human rights violations last September in this region. Additionally, more than 90,000 people were forced to flee their homes during the month of October in Masisi and Rutshuru territories.
UNHCR also highlights that from January until August 2023, around 45,000 new Congolese refugees arrived in neighboring countries such as Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.
Faced with this alarming situation, UNHCR calls on the international community to intensify its efforts to promote lasting peace in the DRC and to provide the necessary resources to alleviate the suffering of the displaced in the east of the country as well as the Congolese refugees in neighboring countries.
It is essential that action is taken quickly to respond to this humanitarian crisis and ensure the safety and well-being of displaced families in the DRC. International solidarity is essential to face these challenges and come to the aid of those who need it most.