Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Outline

Eastern Congo. January 2006. Region of Masisi, west of Goma. Returnees go back to their destroyed villages. Credit: Tinele D'Haese - Oxfam-Solidarité
Though a peace deal was signed in 2003, fighting is still taking a huge toll on civilians.

“Some 250,000 people in the provinces of North and South Kivu have been displaced since mid-January”

Since 1998, an estimated 5.4 million people have lost their lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in the deadliest conflict since the Second World War.

The situation

The DRC is a vast country with enormous economic resources, but millions of its people live in extreme poverty and are at risk of disease and violence.

Until last autumn, a fragile peace had seen some people begin to return to their homes, though many more continued to remain in camps.

Some 250,000 people in the provinces of North and South Kivu have been displaced since mid-January following a military operation targeting the FDLR rebel group. This is the equivalent to the numbers displaced last autumn when intense fighting broke out. According to the UN, some 300,000 other people have returned to their homes in parts of the North Kivu. But calm in some areas, such as Rutshuru, has been accompanied by renewed insecurity in others, such as Lubero and Walikale.

What Oxfam is doing

We are currently reaching half a million people, including 200,000 who were displaced in the fighting in North Kivu late last year. Our new response will see us helping an additional 150,000 people, who have been displaced in new violence. So soon we will be assisting up to 650,000.

In addition to providing basic water and sanitation, we working to promote hygiene and construct latrines and showers.

We will continue our lobby work at a national and international level to ensure that the people of the DR Congo get the support they need to return home and rebuild their lives.

Voices from the DRC: One man's dream of a better life

Photo gallery: Keeping civilians safe

Audio: Internally displaced people in camps need help – Interview with Michel Gratton (Oxfam Quebec)

(mp3)

 

Video: Sexual Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Oxfam America, March 2009)

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Please consider helping fund our emergency work in the DRC. These Oxfam affiliates are running direct appeals:

Updated April 2009

Updates

18 May 2009
A coalition of 68 aid and human rights groups said the council should make clear to both the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo and the Congolese army that stronger measures to protect civilians are urgently needed during military operations against Rwandan militias.
Bulengo is one of four IDP camps on the outskirts of Goma. Credit: Suzi O'Keefe/Oxfam
13 May 2009
While Oxfam recognizes that a solution is needed to halt appalling levels of human rights abuses committed by armed rebels, the answer cannot be action that knowingly increases levels of human suffering
Oxfam is helping survivors to stay alive. Many are now taking refuge in overcrowded camps, where we’re supplying, installing and maintaining water tanks and tap stands.
24 April 2009
Atrocities are being committed against villagers in remote areas of Eastern Congo, where fighting between the Congolese army and the FDLR rebel group continues.
World Food Programme (WFP) and USAID food distribution at Magunga IDP (internally displaced people) camp.
7 April 2009
According to UN figures, some 250,000 people in the provinces of North and South Kivu have been displaced since mid-January following a military operation targeting the FDLR rebel group.
People registering to leave Kibati camp, for a new camp west of Goma, which in six months time will have capacity for 60,000 peole. The registration process is thorough: they get a health check, a hygiene kit and some sheeting. Credit: Ian Bray/Oxfam
17 March 2009
Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, is on a high-level European lobbying tour to highlight the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where civilians have experienced an upsurge of violence in recent months.
Oxfam is working in Mugunga 2 camp, Goma, to provide water and sanitation. Credit: Suzi O'Keefe/Oxfam