People fleeing their homes are building new shelters in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Millions of displaced people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are suffering from one of the world's most neglected crises, the International Organization for Migration said on Tuesday.
The situation is particularly dire in North Kivu province, where 2.8 million people are displaced. Over the past week, more than 150,000 people have been displaced by ongoing fighting in the town of Lubero, while the strategic town of Kanyabayonga has been captured by the rebel 23 movement.
The situation deteriorated rapidly
The International Organization for Migration reports that the situation in the capital, Goma, "is deteriorating rapidly", as it remains cut off from supply routes. In addition, civilians face theft, burglary, abuse, and harassment.
The presence of weapons near the front line and in and around camps for displaced persons poses a serious threat to the security of displaced persons, the agency said. The threat of disasters, including torrential rains, landslides and floods, has also further complicated the situation, particularly in South Kivu and Tanganyika. These factors led to the displacement of tens of thousands of people in May.
Humanitarian workers have been attacked
IOM said the area is also extremely dangerous for humanitarian workers.
Last Sunday, a humanitarian convoy was attacked in the town of Butembo in North Kivu province, killing two aid workers.
The UN Congolese Humanitarian Coordinator, Bruno Lemarquis, condemned the attack, stressing that "humanitarian workers are not targets, just as civilians are not targets".
He called for the safety and protection of humanitarian workers to be ensured and for the perpetrators of those acts to be identified and brought to justice.
Since the beginning of the year, more than 170 security incidents have been directed against humanitarian workers, killing at least four people and injuring 20.
In the first half of 2024, more than a dozen humanitarian workers were kidnapped.
Funding is urgently needed
In addition to insecurity, limited resources limit the delivery of assistance.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the humanitarian response plan in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, totalling $2.6 billion, received only 26 per cent, or $669 million, in funding.
If fully funded, the plan will enable UN agencies and humanitarian partners to provide assistance and protection to some 8.7 million of the most vulnerable.
