Opinion Post: How Bad Is The Displacement Crisis In DR Congo?

In recent years, the intensifying conflict between the DRC’s military and rebel groups has forced millions of Congolese people to flee their country with hopes to escape the violence and hunger.

While many have fled to neighbouring countries like Uganda and Rwanda, others have remained in Internally Displaced Person’s Camps, making the country home to more than 5.5 million internally displaced people, the third-highest in the world.

According to a new report by the Norwegian Refugee Council, the Democratic Republic of Congo is the world’s most neglected displacement crisis, made worse by the worsening food insecurity.

Food insecurity reached the highest level ever recorded, with 27 million people – a third of the country’s population – going hungry.

The Council’s findings and classification of neglected crises are based on three criteria: lack of funding, lack of media attention and lack of international political and diplomatic initiatives. Following this classification, the DRC has topped the list for two years now.

“Despite these urgent needs, support to the country is inadequate, and the situation has become a textbook example of neglect,” Jan Egeland, secretary-general of the NRC said in the statement.

Only 44% of the $2 billion required to meet their needs was received last year and was only able to meet the need of less than $1 a week per person.

“People inside and outside of Africa with the power to create change are closing their eyes to the waves of brutal and targeted attacks on civilians that shatter communities,” Egeland added.

The report also shared that about 7.6 million children aged 5-17 have not enrolled in school as a result of Insecurity and displacement, despite the country’s policy of free primary education.