ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross

Published purpose

September 2013 - Insecurity in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) escalated sharply in late 2012 and throughout 2013 due to a major increase in ethnic and resource-driven violence and banditry carried out by numerous armed groups, particularly in North and South Kivu provinces. This surge in violence has resulted in large-scale displacement of people from their homes, greater need to provide protection for people, and the destruction of assets, livelihoods, and basic infrastructure. People in affected areas are already extremely vulnerable due to chronic poverty and underdevelopment, poor governance, and very limited access to basic services. Cholera, measles, and malaria continue to take a toll across the country but are particularly prevalent in areas of high displacement. In addition, an estimated 6.35 million people across the country are acutely food insecure, or without access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food, including 1.2 million children who are malnourished. With the support of DFATD and other donors, the International Committee of the Red Cross' (ICRC) 2013 emergency operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo aim to provide protection and assistance to an estimated 873,500 people affected by conflict. Canada's assistance supports the ICRC in: providing emergency food assistance; improving water and sanitation services; providing health and medical care; providing support to help people meet their own daily food needs; providing protection services, particularly to vulnerable women and children; and promoting respect for international humanitarian law.