More than 4,830,000 people, including over 2.7 million children, are in need of humanitarian assistance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This is mainly a result of continuing conflicts between communities; ongoing fighting between non-state armed groups and Congolese security forces; and prevailing socio-economic challenges that affect 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).
The humanitarian situation in DRC has been characterized by almost permanent instability. September 2019 was marked by violent armed conflicts in the South Kivu Province in the Minembwe’s High Plateau, resulting in the displacement of at least 46,295 people. Out of 140 villages, 79 villages were completely emptied of their populations due to violent conflict.
Measles and cholera outbreaks remain critical public health emergencies in at least four provinces. The EVD outbreak in North Kivu and Ituri Provinces continues with some slight improvements in the amount of new cases recorded in the last week.
On the political level, following the promise of the president Felix Tshisekedi during electoral campaign, the FARDC General Staff (army headquarter) has been relocated to the east of DRC to fight against ADF/NALU and Mai Mai forces. This could result in new cycles of civilian population displacements in the coming months.
Humanitarian Advisors calls on all parties to conflict in DRC to respect international humanitarian law, and the rights of civilians affected by conflict. Humanitarian Advisors also calls on the international community to continue and increase its support to essential humanitarian programing, in particular health programming focusing on measles and cholera.
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