18 November - DEC statement on Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is still struggling to recover from 15 years of conflict, which has killed millions and devastated the lives of the population through disease and poverty.
Despite a peace agreement between rebel factions in January this year, the east is still rocked by violence and lawlessness. The most recent war of 1998–2003 was characterized by mass displacement, collapse of health systems and food shortages, all contributing to major elevations of mortality.
Over a million people remain displaced in Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps.
The situation has deteriorated rapidly since August, with an upsurge in the conflict in recent weeks. An estimated 250,000 civilians in DRC have fled their homes and are living in desperate conditions following the latest outbreak of violence.
The UN has accused both sides of war crimes during the latest violence. The head of UN peacekeeping has asked the UN Security Council for more than 3,000 extra troops to protect civilians in the eastern DR Congo.
DEC Member Agencies below are working directly or with partners in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Action Aid, British Red Cross, CAFOD, Christian Aid, CARE International UK, Concern, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund, World Vision and Help the Aged.
In a continually volatile situation the DEC Member Agencies are providing additional aid including urgently needed food, water and medical supplies. Many civilians have been made homeless and some camps are being extended to take extra people. Member Agencies are now able to carry out assessments across the region and will try to help people either return to their homes or find temporary shelter until they judge it safe to return home.
