The Democratic Republic of Congo: A Forgotten Crisis
About 4.5 million people are displaced in the DRC, making it one of the largest displacement crises in the world
As years of conflict further deteriorate the humanitarian situation, explore how USAID is working to reach millions of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in need of vital assistance.
1. 20-YEAR HUMANITARIAN CRISIS GROWS EVEN WORSE
Over the last year, violence in the DRC has surged and spread to previously peaceful areas, like the Kasai region. This spike in fighting only adds to the devastation already brought on by two decades of conflict in other parts of the country. Now, more than one in 10 need humanitarian assistance, 7.7 million people are facing severe food insecurity, and half of the country’s provinces are affected by conflict, disease and natural disasters. People were forced to flee home in growing numbers, but as people are returning back to their home regions, they’re returning to areas where infrastructure and access to basic services have been destroyed.
2. KASAI REGION: EPICENTER OF RECENT VIOLENCE
The outbreak of violence in the previously peaceful Kasai region has drastically worsened an already bleak humanitarian situation across the country. At the height of the conflict, 1.4 million people in this region alone were forced to flee their homes. Approximately 4.5 million people are displaced in DRC — more than double the number one year ago — making it one of the largest displacement crises in the world.
3. CONTINUING CONFLICT IN THE EAST
In other parts of the DRC, including the eastern provinces of Kivu, Ituri and Tanganyika, intensifying violence have also led to deteriorating humanitarian conditions. Though poor road conditions and persistent insecurity have long made this a challenging operating environment, humanitarian groups are continuing to work tirelessly to reach displaced families with vital assistance.
4. USAID AIRLIFTS SUPPLIES
In the fall of 2017, USAID airlifted three planes filled with vital relief supplies from our warehouse in Italy to the DRC. This lifesaving journey provided people with the basic items they need to survive.
5. AID ON THE MOVE
The planes carried essential relief items including 60,000 blankets, more than 20,000 kitchen sets and 48,000 water containers. From here, these supplies were moved to remote parts of the Kasai region, where they helped tens of thousands of people affected by the ongoing crisis.
6. THE MOBILE HEALTH WORKER WILL SEE YOU NOW
For many families in the Kasai region’s remote Mpengele Village, there are no nearby doctors, clinics or hospitals. So, when our partner Save the Children arrives with mobile health clinics, families gather to make sure they get seen. In addition to primary health care services, these teams are helping to combat malnutrition and other diseases.
7. HELPING CHILDREN GROW HEALTHY
Mbaya is just one of the children that the Save the Children mobile health units are helping give the healthy start they deserve. He is one of 2 million children who are malnourished, but after being diagnosed, he was transferred to the hospital for treatment.
8. FIGHTING THE SPREAD OF CHOLERA
In response to a cholera outbreak that resulted in more than 5,900 suspected cases, including about 100 deaths between Jan. 1 and Feb. 23, humanitarian groups are providing safe drinking water, medical supplies, improved sanitation and hygiene kits to help curb disease spread. However, a health care system crippled by the ongoing violence is making it more challenging to stop the disease.
9. HOPE FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE
Despite ongoing insecurity, USAID and humanitarian partners are working tirelessly to deliver lifesaving assistance. The United States is preparing to scale up assistance to the DRC to ensure vital humanitarian aid reaches those who need it most — and give the people of DRC the support they need to for a brighter future.
