Eastern DR Congo: Intensifying Conflict & Humanitarian Crisis | Press Conference

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Published Jun 22, 2024

Bintou Keita, Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) said, “In eastern DRC, we are witnessing an intensification of the fighting and the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation.”

Addressing the press today (27 Mar) Keita, said, “M 23 continues to make significant advances and expansion of its territory to unprecedented levels. This has culminated in an even more disastrous humanitarian situation with internal displacement reaching unprecedented numbers.”

She also said, “We must collectively pay more attention to the deepening humanitarian crisis stemming from the M 23 escalation in North Kivu and prolonged arm violence in Ituri and South Kivu.”

She continued, “More than 71 million people are internally displaced in eastern DRC - an increase of 800,000 since my last briefing some three months ago - 23.4 million people are food insecure, which means that 1 in 4 Congolese faces hunger and malnutrition making the Democratic Republic of Congo the country most affected by food insecurity.”

She stated, “This humanitarian catastrophe requires a strong response from the international community. The 2024 humanitarian response plan remains underfunded.”

She reiterated, “Military engagement has to go hand in hand with continued investment by the Congolese authorities in regional, national and local peace processes. This must be complemented by a profound reform of the security sector and the operationalization of the programs of disarmament, community reinsertion and stabilization.”