Thousands of displaced people who fled conflict in the eastern part of the country are experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis in Kinshasa, the capital. Multiple deaths have been recorded due to a lack of assistance.

Most of these internally displaced persons came from North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, where they escaped the advance of AFC-M23 rebels more than a year ago. Others fled the neighbouring province of Ituri following attacks by armed groups, including the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (Codéco) and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

Left to their own devices

Over 2,600 households face an extremely worrying humanitarian situation. Many are now homeless after being forced to leave the churches and mosques that had been sheltering them.

What is most concerning is the large number of vulnerable people among the displaced.

“Among the vulnerable are pregnant women, people living with disabilities, children, students, and the elderly. They are here with no access to healthcare, housing, or food. They are in complete distress,” laments Jordan Mulikuza, president of the displaced from the East in Kinshasa.

The ordeal of displaced students

Some students fled the war, while others arrived before the conflict began to pursue their studies in Kinshasa. They now live in harsh conditions, separated from parents who have either fled or, in the worst cases, been killed. Jacques Chiza is the representative of these students.

“We are going through very difficult times. We have nothing to eat. Most students spend the night outdoors because they have nowhere to sleep. We have absolutely no assistance. We appeal to anyone of goodwill to help us because the situation is alarming,” he warns.

State expected to provide immediate response

Sixteen people have died due to lack of access to healthcare in the Congolese capital. The internally displaced have repeatedly appealed to authorities and humanitarian organizations, but with no significant results so far. They demand the state take charge.

“We have cases of illness every day. I sound the alarm to the international community, United Nations agencies, and the government to see how they can intervene,” says their president, Jordan Mulikuza, before warning: “We ask the authorities to act before the worst happens. In any case, we launch a cry of alarm to the head of state to act urgently.“

While the displaced express their wish to be gathered on a single site to facilitate access to humanitarian aid, Théogène Nkundiye, advisor to the Ministry of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action, and National Solidarity, stated: “Their situation is known and is being studied for a sustainable solution. It is still too early to talk about it today. We will know more at the appropriate time.“

This means no decision has yet been made to help these thousands of internally displaced people who are surviving as best they can in the Congolese capital.