“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 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.
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)
Please consider helping fund our emergency work in the DRC. These Oxfam affiliates are running direct appeals:
Updated April 2009
