UN body urges action to stem deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Congo

​​​ISTANBUL

A UN body urged action Friday to stem the worsening humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Food insecurity, internal displacement and gender-based violence have reached record levels in Congo, according to the International Organization of Migration (IOM).

“In eastern DRC, I met with people who have been affected by conflict their whole lives – displaced multiple times, living in the most challenging conditions in makeshift camps. The situation facing women and girls – who are bearing the brunt of this conflict – is particularly distressing, with soaring levels of sexual and gender-based violence,” said IOM chief Amy Pope, following a trip to Congo.

Fighting between the Congolese forces and the M23 armed group, the most active of the hundreds in the country, has displaced more than 7 million residents since the 1990s.

In addition, heavy rains and floods have further displaced tens of thousands, worsening the humanitarian conditions.

“The humanitarian needs here are vast. Yet the displaced families I’ve spoken with here told me that, more than anything, they need peace to be able to rebuild their lives,” said Pope.

A conflict about land and customary claims in western Congo erupted in June 2022 between the so-called “native” and “non-native” communities leading to the killings and displacements of hundreds, according to Human Rights Watch.

Last June, violence broke out after a group calling itself, Mobondo, targeted Teke villagers with machetes and military assault rifles.

Congolese security forces conducted operations but failed to quell the violence.