The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is expressing growing concerns about the environmental impacts of humanitarian operations carried out by international organizations in the country. According to the Congolese Minister of the Environment, Ève Bazaïba, certain NGOs, such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), are responsible for massive deforestation for meet the needs of refugees, particularly those coming from Rwanda.
For several years, these NGOs are said to have cut down up to 500 m³ of trees per day, mainly to make tents, beds and utensils for refugees. This practice, although meeting the immediate needs of refugees, has significantly contributed to environmental degradation in the DRC, a country already facing significant ecological challenges.
The consequences of deforestation for the DRC
The Congolese government emphasizes that this massive deforestation has profound repercussions on the fragile ecosystem of the DRC, one of the richest countries in biodiversity in the world. In addition to tree loss, this deforestation contributes to soil erosion, biodiversity loss and climate change. Minister Ève Bazaïba expressed her dissatisfaction on social networks, declaring that “the environmental resources of the DRC fall under its entire sovereignty and cannot be sacrificed to meet the needs of humanity by sacrificing the interests of the Congolese people”.
The tension between humanitarian needs and environmental protection
The dilemma raised by the minister concerns the difficult balance between responding to humanitarian emergencies and protecting essential natural resources. On the one hand, international NGOs, notably the IOM and the UNHCR, play a crucial role in helping refugees, particularly those from neighboring countries such as Rwanda. On the other hand, the environmental impact of activities linked to humanitarian aid raises long-term concerns for the country's ecosystem.
The Congolese government is calling for a review of NGO practices in order to minimize their ecological impact while continuing to provide humanitarian support. The use of alternative and more sustainable materials could be considered, as well as the use of local solutions to meet the needs of refugees while preserving Congolese forests.
The environmental sovereignty of the DRC
The question of sovereignty of natural resources in the DRC is at the heart of this controversy. The minister reaffirmed that the management of natural resources and the environment belongs exclusively to the DRC, and that the protection of its forests and its biodiversity must be a priority. Although the refugee situation is an urgent humanitarian crisis, the preservation of the country's ecosystems and natural resources must also be taken into account to ensure a sustainable future for the Congolese population.
This denunciation from the Minister of the Environment highlights a complex problem: how to respond to humanitarian needs while protecting the natural resources of a country in the heart of Central Africa? While NGOs have a crucial role to play, the Congolese government insists on the need to review intervention methods to ensure that humanitarian actions do not compromise the ecological and economic future of the DRC.
Moctar FICUU / VivAfrik
