The humanitarian landscape in the D.R. Congo has been characterised by displacements, hunger, life-threatening diseases, mostly driven by mass people movements caused by spikes in conflict, mostly in North Kivu, Ituri and parts of South Kivu.
Renewed fighting between the government forces and the M23 displaced over 340,000 people This worsened the plight of people in a country already home to 5.5 million internally displaced persons -the highest in Africa.
In DRC, 64% of the population lives on less than $ 2.15 daily. Food prices, especially in conflict-affected areas have tripled, and 27 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. DRC is still struggling to address the stubborn and interconnected effects of COVID19, Ebola,the Mount Nyiragongo volcanic eruption and ongoing conflict, as humanitarian funding dwindles. Of the $ 1.88 bn appeal, only $ 703m had been raised (37%) by end of September.
In addition to the loss of lives, economic weakening, and the destruction of physical infrastructure, the insecurity disrupted planting and harvest activities. Delayed rains in areas like Ruzizi and below average rains reported by FEWSNET further complicated the food situation for a country where nearly 900,000 children are likely to suffer severe acute malnutrition. Children have dropped out of school, and many face the risk of early marriage.
DRC’s multiple humanitarian crises exerted pressure on health, economic and social structures. Kasai reported rising incidents of measles, camps around Goma reported cholera outbreaks and the provinces of Ubangi grapple with an endemic refugee challenge.
This year, World Vision collaborated with UN agencies, NGO’s, DRC Government, communities and donors to meet needs of children and families affected by man-made and natural disasters in nine provinces.
Over 3.03m people, 1.81m children, benefitted from World Vision’s food, health, water and sanitation, protection, and education programmes this year. World Vision deeply appreciates partners and donors for enabling this life-saving work, and celebrates its revived eligibility to the UNOCHA-coordinated humanitarian fund.
Source: World Vision