With nearly 7 million people still internally displaced due to armed conflicts, the DRC is experiencing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The east of the country, and more particularly North Kivu, is one of the most affected regions. For more than two years, this area has been plagued by violence from the armed group M23, supported by Rwanda. This situation has plunged thousands of civilians into a precarious situation, with increasingly degraded living conditions, particularly in displaced persons camps.
Humanitarian needs remain urgent, particularly in terms of water and sanitation.
Emmanuel Lampaert, country director of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the DRC, has just returned from a mission in the east of the country and draws up an alarming assessment. In an exclusive interview with our correspondent Paulina Zidi, he explains that living conditions in the displaced persons camps remain extremely difficult. Drinking water and sanitation are still priority needs, and the health situation in these areas is particularly worrying.
“The conditions are truly subhuman in the camps for displaced people, the need for water and sanitation is dire. Many people live in unsanitary conditions, without access to basic health infrastructure,” declares Emmanuel Lampaert. According to him, the situation could quickly deteriorate if humanitarian aid needs are not urgently met.
Inhumane living conditions and logistical challenges for humanitarian actors
Displaced people's camps in eastern DRC are severely lacking in essential resources, with almost non-existent health infrastructure. Access to drinking water remains limited, and many displaced people live in overcrowded conditions that favor the spread of infectious diseases, including cholera epidemics.
Authorities and humanitarian organizations on the ground report that thousands of people, particularly children and vulnerable people, are suffering the consequences of this protracted crisis. The situation is all the more complicated as the persistent violence of the M23 makes humanitarian access to certain regions difficult. Organizations like MSF must navigate these logistical and security challenges to provide assistance to affected populations.
Call for strengthened humanitarian action
Faced with this critical situation, Emmanuel Lampaert calls for increased international mobilization to support humanitarian efforts. “The needs are enormous, and humanitarian access remains limited due to insecurity. It is essential that the international community continues to support relief efforts, particularly in key areas such as water, sanitation, and health,” insists the MSF country director.
The Congolese authorities, humanitarian organizations and the international community are therefore faced with a major challenge to improve the living conditions of the displaced and meet their basic needs in the east of the country. Humanitarian aid and efforts to restore peace and security remain the essential pillars to redress the situation.
Moctar FICUU / VivAfrik
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