More than 250,000 persons have been affected by the escalation of violence in the North Kivu region, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. CARE International is addressing the needs of some of the most vulnerable families in Goma, where they have sought refuge.
Over the last several months CARE has observed a deterioration of the conflict in North Kivu, which has led to new displacements of populations and has highly restricted humanitarian access. Violence again intensified last week, with heavy fighting between rebels and the Congolese army causing tens of thousands of citizens to flee towards the city of Goma, on the Rwandan border.
This upsurge of violence in the DRC not only creates an immediate emergency humanitarian crisis but also interrupts the efforts Congolese citizens, with the help of humanitarian agencies, have been making toward normalising their lives after decades of fighting and governmental instability.
“The renewed fighting is undermining the work that CARE and others have achieved toward long-term reduction of poverty and a better future for war-weary people,” said Crivellaro. “But now that people have to flee yet another cycle of violence, everything that they’ve built risks being destroyed.”
CARE is now working with other humanitarian agencies and the United Nations to implement emergency programmes, with the goal of helping more than 375,000 internally displaced, returnees and host communities with emergency services.
CARE is currently distributing emergency supplies and providing cholera treatments for some of the thousands of people who are still taking refuge in Goma city. Besides, CARE is coordinating with the medical aid agency Merlin to establish a temporary cholera treatment centre, after cases were reported among the displaced people in Goma town.
CARE is calling for the international community to immediately ensure that the UN Peacekeeping Force in Congo (MONUC) is able and properly equipped to protect civilians, and that aid can reach the affected populations.
CARE has been working in the DRC since 2002, providing programs in the areas of health and nutrition, livelihoods, environmental protection, and good governance.
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Media Contact
To arrange interviews with staff in DRC, please contact:
Melanie Brooks, [email protected]; mobile +41.795.903.047 (Nairobi)
Lurma Rackley, [email protected]; mobile +1 404 394 8298 (Atlanta, USA)
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