UN Agencies Warn of Worsening Humanitarian and Human Rights Crisis in Eastern DR Congo
January 31, 2025
By The Associated Press
GENEVA – The United Nations on Tuesday warned that the humanitarian and human rights crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is worsening, with millions of people facing displacement, food insecurity, and violence.
In a joint statement, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that ongoing armed conflict and insecurity have forced more than 5.5 million people to flee their homes in eastern DRC, including over 2 million children.
“The level of displacement is staggering,” said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. “Families are being torn apart, and children are bearing the brunt of the suffering.”
The agencies said that the violence has also led to widespread food insecurity and malnutrition, with over 6 million people facing acute food shortages. The WFP said that it is providing food assistance to more than 3 million people in eastern DRC, but that additional funding is urgently needed.
“The humanitarian needs in eastern DRC are overwhelming,” said Henrietta Fore, the UNICEF Executive Director. “Children are being killed, maimed, and recruited as soldiers. They are also being denied access to education and healthcare.”
The agencies also expressed concern over the human rights situation in eastern DRC, with reports of arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings. The UN Human Rights Office said that it has received credible reports of human rights violations by both government forces and armed groups.
“The human rights situation in eastern DRC is dire,” said Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. “Impunity for human rights violations is rampant, and civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence.”
The agencies called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for all parties to respect international humanitarian law and human rights law. They also urged the international community to provide increased humanitarian funding and support to the people of eastern DRC.
“The humanitarian and human rights crisis in eastern DRC is a tragedy,” said Martin Griffiths, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. “We must act now to prevent further suffering and to help the people of eastern DRC rebuild their lives.”
UN agencies warn of worsening humanitarian and human rights crisis in eastern DR Congo
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