The Government and the humanitarian community launched the 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan, which aims to mobilize US$2.25 billion to respond to the critical needs of 10 million vulnerable people in the country. The humanitarian situation has exacerbated over the past year due to an upsurge in violence, particularly in North Kivu province, in the east, where over 600,000 people have been displaced since March 2022. Violence has also increased in the neighbouring Ituri province, which continues to be the scene of intercommunal massacres, including in displacement sites. While in South Kivu province, diseases such as measles, continue to affect thousands of people.
Across the country, 26.4 million people are food insecure, which makes the DRC the most food insecure country in the world. With 5.7 million people displaced by the conflict, the DRC also has the largest number of internally displaced persons in Africa. In 2022, around five million people, out of the 8.8 million targeted, received humanitarian aid, two million people suffering from malnutrition had access to nutritional therapeutic care, and over 2.5 million were able to access water, hygiene and health aid. Humanitarian actors had appealed for $1.88 billion in 2022.
However, only 48 per cent, of the required funding was received, leaving millions of people without critical assistance.
CAMEROON
ARMED ATTACK ON A HEALTH CENTRE IN THE FAR NORTH
On 5 February, members a non-State armed group attacked the Ouzal health centre in the Mayo-Sava division in the Far North region damaging health equipment. The centre had already been attacked on 14 January. With the support of humanitarian organizations, the centre continues to operate providing health aid to more than 15,000 people, including internally displaced persons.
MALI
VIOLENCE CONTINUES TO AFFECT SCHOOLS IN THE NORTH
Violence continues to affect schools in northern Mali as efforts are underway to support children affected by the crisis. On 10 February, armed men set two schools in Dangatene commune in the Bandiagara region on fire, burning documents and teaching materials, which led to the closure of the schools and consequently affecting the education of 437 children. According to humanitarian organisations, as of December 2022, insecurity and violence had forced 117 schools to close in the Bandiagara region disrupting the education of over 35,000 students. Organisations continue to make concerted efforts to address education gaps in the northern regions affected by insecurity, with protection and education programmes affected children in Timbuktu and Taoudenit regions.
NIGER
ABOUT 6,700 DISPLACED RETURN TO THEIR VILLAGES IN GOROUAOL DISTRICT
On 8 and 9 February, about 6,700 displaced persons returned from Bankilare district to their villages in Goroual district, both in the Tillaberi region, in the southwest. Returnees received aid including food. In January 2023, insecurity and violence had forced over 7,000 people to flee their villages in Goroual district and seek refuge in Bankilare district.
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs