Kinshasa overwhelmed by war-displaced from eastern DRC

Thousands of people who fled the armed conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo now face a severe humanitarian crisis in Kinshasa. Several deaths have been recorded due to the lack of assistance.

Most of these internally displaced persons arrived from North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, escaping the advance of AFC-M23 rebels more than a year ago. Others fled neighbouring Ituri province following attacks by armed groups such as the Cooperative for Development of Congo (Codeco) and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

Left to fend for themselves

More than 2,600 households are experiencing a deeply worrying humanitarian situation. Many are now homeless after being forced to leave the churches and mosques that had been sheltering them.

What worries most is that among these displaced people are many vulnerable individuals.

“Among the vulnerable people, we have pregnant women, persons living with disabilities, children, students, and the elderly. They are here with no access to health care, housing, or food. They are in total distress,” laments Jordan Mulikuza, president of the displaced from the East in Kinshasa.

The ordeal of displaced students

Regarding students, some fled the war, but others arrived before the conflict started to pursue their studies in Kinshasa. They now live in difficult conditions, far from their parents who either fled or, in worst cases, were killed. Jacques Chiza is the representative of these students.

“We are going through very hard times. We have nothing to eat. Most students spend the night outside because they have nowhere to sleep. We receive absolutely no assistance. We appeal to every person of goodwill to help us, because the situation is alarming,” he warns.

The state expected to provide an immediate response

Sixteen people have died due to lack of access to health care in the Congolese capital. The internally displaced have repeatedly made requests to authorities and humanitarian organisations, but with no significant results so far. They demand state support.

“We have cases of illness every day. I sound the alarm to the international community, to United Nations organisations, and to the government to see how they can intervene,” stresses their president, Jordan Mulikuza, before warning: “We ask the authorities to act before the worst happens. We are sounding the alarm to the head of state to act urgently.”

While the displaced express their wish to be gathered on one site, which would facilitate access to humanitarian aid, Théogène Nkundiye, adviser at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity, indicated that “their situation is known and is being studied for a lasting solution. It is still too early to talk about it today. We will know more when the time comes.”

This means no decision has yet been taken to help these thousands of internally displaced people who survive as best they can in the Congolese capital.