“Up to 250,000 people displaced since August; many civilians wounded or killed in the crossfire.”
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 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 recently, a fragile peace had seen some people begin to return to their homes, though many more continued to remain in camps.
But renewed violence has forced some 250,000 people to flee their homes since August 2008. Reports indicate that another 20,000 men, women and children have been displaced in recent weeks (October 2008).
Michel Gratton of Oxfam Quebec describes the difficult situation in Goma. (mp3)
Internally displaced people in camps need help – Interview with Michel Gratton (Oxfam Quebec) (mp3)
Oxfam is providing water and sanitation to 65,000 people in four camps in Goma, and trucking water to 20,000 people sheltering in the area of Kanyabayonga, far north of Goma. We are currently increasing our work to reach an additional 100,000 people in more places to the north and west of Goma – more than doubling the number of people we are helping.
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.
Please consider helping fund our emergency work in the DRC. These Oxfam affiliates are running direct appeals:
