Whilst much the world is focused on Contra Virus, nearly five million people are in need of the most urgent humanitarian assistance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This is mainly due to continuing conflicts between non-state armed groups and Congolese security forces as well as to the prevailing socio-economic challenges affecting the most vulnerable Congolese. Those affected by this complex and widespread crisis remain exposed to persistent human rights violations, especially sexual and gender-based violence, chronic malnutrition, and epidemics, such as cholera, measles, and the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). Nearly three million children are affected by the humanitarian crises in DRC.
DRC is host to one of the most complex and long-lasting humanitarian crises, which has left 12.8 million people requiring humanitarian support in 2019, rising to nearly 16 million in 2020. Intercommunal violence and armed conflicts that destroy livelihoods, particularly in the eastern and central parts of the country, are the main triggers of this worsening humanitarian crisis. The security situation is indisputably concerning, with the UN Security Council unanimously adopts RES 2502(2019) renewing the mandate of MONUSCO until 20 Dec 2020. Unsurprisingly, UN Peace Keepers will remain in DRC for at least another year.
The humanitarian community has been very active despite the significant challenges and between April and September 2019, more than 4.8 million children under five-years of age were vaccinated against measles in 164 health zones. However, the risk of measles remains alarming, still affecting the country's 26 provinces. The measles outbreak has resulted in the deaths of more than 5,100 children in 2019. Nearly 270,000 cases have already been reported in 2020, the highest peak reported since 2010.
Floods affected at least ten of the 26 provinces in DRC in December 2019. At least 600,000 people were affected by these floods. At the same time, the nutritional situation in DRC remains characterized by significantly high rates of acute and recurrent malnutrition in seven provinces of the DRC : Kasaï Central, Kasaï, Oriental Kasaï, Sankuru, Tshopo, Kwilu and Kwango.
Humanitarian Advisors calls on the international community to continue, and increase their humanitarian support to the most affected communities in DRC, requiring urgent humanitarian assistance.
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