Kleiman, Kibby

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Not everyone knows what’s going on in other parts of the world. Do you know where the Democratic Republic of Congo is? Do you know what’s happening in Congo as you read this ? I’m here to tell you. 

The Democratic Republic of Congo is located in Africa along the equator. The DRC is one of the 5 poorest nations in the world. Since 1960, when the DRC gained its independence, it has experienced persistent hostility, displacement, and loss of life. The United Nations has reported that over 26 million people need Humanitarian aid. 

Right now in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the most complex Humanitarian crisis out there is unfolding. The violence between non-state armed groups and the government has ensued, an alarming number of 450,000 people have been displaced from their homes in just 6 weeks and are now seeking refuge in other provinces. Those that lived in the Rutshuru and Masisi areas are now being forced to make intense and difficult choices. 

The violence and the human rights violations have devastatingly impacted the lives of children. There is a lack of Education, children are experiencing violence directly and to others, malnutrition, lack of health care, and Exploitation. Men are risking their lives to feed children and women are risking rape and sexual assault to collect fire wood to stay warm and cook food. There have been immeasurable amounts of disease outbreaks such as Ebola, measles, and Cholera. If you don’t know what those are and how deadly they can be, I suggest doing some research on that. 

Even though the UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency) has built shelters and has been providing the help that they can give, it just isn’t enough. There is an estimation of 200,000 displaced people being cut off from aid provided by UN agencies. The conflict between the non-state armed and government, the disastrous flood, Virus outbreaks and the Mount Nyiragongo volcano eruption makes the DRC have the highest number of displaced citizens.

The best kind of support that you or anyone can offer to those in DR Congo would be to pray for those in the DRC, sponsor a child, donate to organizations that are supporting crises around the world.  

Sources:

“Clashes in eastern DR congo displace 450,000 in six weeks”: https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/11/1143937 

“DRC conflict: Facts, FAQs, and how to help”: https://www.worldvision.org/disaster-relief-news-stories/drc-conflict-facts