Armed Conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Millions of civilians caught in the crossfire in the Congo: DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE'S response

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Our response

Our action includes humanitarian aid, development and advocacy

We are working with Caritas Congo to provide 90,000 people with household necessities - blankets, clothing for children and adults, soap, plastic cups and spoons, buckets, water bottles and cooking pots.

We are appealing to the Canadian government to contribute to humanitarian aid and long term support for reconstruction and peace-building.

We also ask the government to reinforce the United Nations Mission in the Congo (MONUC) and to reopen the investigations on the illegal exploitation of natural resources.

If it were not for organizations such as Development and Peace and the support of people willing to help like you, many more lives would be lost during this crisis.

The situation

The Congolese have been victims of ongoing conflict

Since 1997, more than 5 million have died
40,000 women have been raped
Over 1,4 million people are currently displaced inside the country
Between 1997 and 2003, 9 African countries and some 30 armed groups fought a bloody war in the country
This war was the biggest in the history of contemporary Africa and caused the largest loss of life since World War II

August 2008 saw a resurgence of hostilities with intense fighting between government troops and rebel groups. Over 250,000 people were forced to flee, including nearly 100,000 in the last week when rebels took control of part of the region and attacked the regional capital of Goma. This grim situation accelerated day by day.

Displaced people roam the countryside unprotected, needing shelter, food, water and medical care. Indeed, even their temporary camps are not safe. The greatest challenge for humanitarian aid workers remains access to displaced persons’ camps. Their ability to do their work depends on the level of violence, the amount of roadblocks and the accessibility of remote areas.

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	Community Radio of the Congo February 13, 2013 The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been living a decade-long civil war that has wrought countless atrocities on the population, including six million deaths. Recent fighting around the city of Goma in November 2012 was a stark reminder of the fear and insecurity that civilians face daily in the absence of good governance, rule of law, peace and accountability. Read more here
Thousands have been displaced due to fighting in Goma	Sea change needed to bring lasting peace in the DRC November 23, 2012 The taking of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by the March 23 Movement (M23) is a major affront to international law and to the largest and most expensive United Nations peacekeeping mission in operation. It has intensified an already alarming humanitarian crisis. The proven involvement of Rwanda, which is a member of the Security Council of the United Nations, in the military operations of a rebel group within Congolese territory places the international community in an uncharted situation that requires new strategies. Read more here

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Blog

	DRC : New documentary delves into the trial for the murder of human rights activist Floribert Chebeya April 16, 2013 Three years ago, Floribert Chebeya, a Congolese human rights activist and president of the non-governmental organization La Voix des Sans Voix (a voice for the voiceless), was found murdered in his car. The investigation into his death led to the arrest and trial of several police officers believed to be behind the murder. Read more here
	Democratic Republic of the Congo: Bishops call for national unity and territorial integrity December 13, 2012 The conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is getting bogged down, with civilians being its main victims. The Congolese government of President Joseph Kabila and the M23 rebels met in recent days in Kampala, Uganda's capital, to negotiate an end to the hostilities. Read more here
	Congo: Call for action to end violence in DRC November 23, 2012 The capture of the city of Goma by ‘M23’ rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been a major cause for concern for the security of the local population. Ongoing violence in the DRC since 1996 has led to five million deaths and this latest incident has caused the displacement of an estimated 100,000 people. Read more here
	Bringing aid to the displaced in eastern DRC June 22, 2012 Recent conflict between the supporters of General Bosco Ntaganda and the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) in North Kivu has led to the massive displacement of thousands of people in the region. Read more here

Video

Caritas helps victims of sexual abuse in the DRC

This video, made by Caritas Australia, illustrates the work of Development and Peace partner Caritas Congo with women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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Millions of civilians caught in the crossfire in the Congo: DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE'S response

Tabs

Our action includes humanitarian aid, development and advocacy

The Congolese have been victims of ongoing conflict

Caritas helps victims of sexual abuse in the DRC