DRC: Conflict, Sexual Violence Force 80,000 Displacements
Thousands of people are crossing the borders of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in search of asylum due to insecurity and horrific sexual violence in the eastern region, with no signs of this displacement stopping anytime soon. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on Tuesday warned about the deteriorating situation.
Source: UN / Image:© MONUSCO/Aubin Mukoni
Rising Cases of Human Rights Violations and Looting
Patrick Aeba, Deputy Director of the International Protection Division at the UN agency, stated that cases of sexual violence and human rights violations are continuously emerging near the frontlines of the conflict. Local people’s homes and businesses are being looted and destroyed. In the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), North Kivu and South Kivu provinces are witnessing clashes between the M23 rebel group and government security forces, with M23 fighters having taken control of several areas.
Mass Displacement Due to Armed Conflict
The UNHCR official informed journalists in Geneva that instability prevails in both provinces, with over 80,000 people displaced due to armed conflict and more than 60,000 people having entered Burundi since January. According to the UN refugee agency, 895 cases of rape were recorded in the last two weeks of February, averaging 60 cases per day.
Risk of Explosives and Attacks on Hospitals
Apart from sexual violence, local civilians are also at risk of being affected by explosive remnants, particularly children and farmers tending to their fields. The UN humanitarian office (OCHA) reported on Monday that armed fighters stormed at least two hospitals in Goma, the capital of North Kivu, and abducted a large number of patients.
Disruptions in Humanitarian Aid
The conflict has also impacted humanitarian aid efforts for displaced people. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), relief operations had to be halted in violence-affected areas. However, emergency food assistance is expected to resume in some parts of North Kivu, aiming to provide food supplies to approximately 200,000 people.
Forced Evictions by M23 Rebels
Mass displacement is occurring in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, as the M23 rebel group has ordered internally displaced persons to leave camps near Goma. Due to the prevailing insecurity in eastern DRC, many others may also seek safety and asylum across borders. The UN agency has stated that DRC citizens fleeing violent conflict, as well as those already outside the country from affected areas, may require refugee protection under international and regional legal frameworks.
UN Emphasizes Safe and Informed Return
The organization has emphasized that any decision to voluntarily return to conflict-affected areas must be made based on adequate information. When asked about the U.S. suspension of humanitarian aid funding, UNHCR spokesperson Eugène Biyun stated that some emergency-affected countries have been granted a 90-day exemption from this restriction, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Ongoing Crisis and Humanitarian Challenges
Rich in mineral resources, the DRC has been engulfed in crises for decades, making funding for humanitarian aid operations challenging. The UNHCR spokesperson expressed hope that the organization will continue to provide support to those in need amidst the ongoing emergency. More than one million Congolese refugees are in various African countries, with the majority in neighboring states. Over 500,000 are in Uganda, while thousands sought refuge in Burundi following M23 attacks in January. Even before the current crisis, 6.7 million people were internally displaced within the DRC.
