Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Funding appeals and humanitarian action updates

Large-scale conflict and population displacement continues to ravage large areas of the Eastern Part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).  While news of the humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC has faded from international headlines, the situation for hundreds of thousands of children and women has not improved significantly since the outbreak of large-scale violence in late 2008. Insecurity in North Kivu and especially in southern Lubero territory is widespread and has triggered new displacement in some areas, mixed with returns in others. During periods of violence, children and women are particularly vulnerable to abuse and hardship. Being uprooted from their homes and the constant insecurity put distress on lives and livelihoods. Displaced, separated, and out-of-school children are particularly vulnerable to recruitment and other forms of violence, including sexual abuse. UNICEF is closely working with the other humanitarian actors in the DRC, including UN agencies, local and international NGOs, civil society and the Government of the DRC within the framework of the Humanitarian Action Plan (HAP) to alleviate the suffering of the Congolese children and women. In order to be able to carry out life-saving activities for the children and women in the DRC, UNICEF DRC has identified priority needs for the next three months amounting to US$ 24,882,846.
DRC Humanitarian Action Update 22 June 2009 [pdf]

Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is experiencing a renewed humanitarian catastrophe. The recent confrontations in North Kivu follow a rapid deterioration of an already fragile security and humanitarian situation, beginning in August 2008 with the collapse of the Goma peace accords (see UNICEF Humanitarian Action Update of October 13, 2008).  Despite intense diplomatic efforts, the security situation in eastern DRC remains extremely precarious and the humanitarian situation is deteriorating by the day. Since late August 2008, 250,000 people are newly displaced in North Kivu, the majority of whom are women and children. OCHA now estimates that there are a total of over 1,000,000 displaced in North Kivu alone—one-fifth of the province’s total population. The insecurity and recurrent displacement are having devastating effects on children and women. Local communities hosting displaced families and aid agencies struggle to assess and meet the critical needs of the affected population in a context where many areas are still plagued by insecurity and limited access. UNICEF and its network of partners currently provide the largest humanitarian response mechanism in the DRC for displaced persons and disaster-affected populations. With a focus on health and nutrition, education, child protection, water, sanitation and hygiene, household relief supplies and emergency shelter reinforcement materials, UNICEF’s partnerships and programmes in eastern DRC are being rapidly scaled up to adapt and respond to the current emergencies. UNICEF requires US $12 million to respond to the immediate needs of children and women over the next three months.
DRC Humanitatian Action Update 5 November 2008 [pdf]

The year 2005 in the DRC was characterized both by progress towards stability, peace and democracy and, at the same time, the persistence of conflict and emergency situations that define the country as one of the most serious humanitarian crises in the world. The long lasting war has led to the deaths of some 4 million people, while 1,200 people are estimated to die in silence every day due to ongoing epidemics and conflict-related emergencies. UNICEF DRC aims to provide life-saving emergency assistance to internally displaced populations; prevent child morbidity and mortality; and ensure access to education for conflict-affected children. To meet these goals UNICEF urgently requires US$ 47,000,000.
DRC Donor Update 4 July 2006 [pdf]

Despite the various peace initiatives and an improvement in the overall security situation in the DRC, armed clashes continue to prevail in Ituri and North Kivu, killing hundreds and displacing tens of thousands of people. Homes, villages, markets, fields, health structures and schools have been looted and often destroyed, leaving families without access to basic services or shelter. Children and women are the most affected by the on-going fighting. UNICEF urgently requires US$ 3.5 million to provide 180,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) with emergency shelter and household items; 180,000 IDPs with clean water, sanitation and hygiene; and to support 100,000 returnee children for attending primary school.
DRC Donor Update 24 March 2005 [pdf]