EU wil steun voor slachtoffers geweld Oost-Congo (en)

Food prices have risen in the last days and the humanitarian needs remain great for the displaced. In one of the many camps, hundreds wait for their food and basic household kits. © Frederic Bonamy EU/ECHO

30/11/2012 - Responding to the urgent needs of the Congolese population, the European Commission is working with the EU budgetary authorities to increase its humanitarian aid for the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Great Lakes region. The recent escalation in fighting between the armed forces and the March 23 Movement (M23) has dramatically worsened the humanitarian situation in the region and put tens of thousands of people at risk.

‘When I travelled to Goma and the Kivus earlier this year, I met many Congolese people whose lives have been destroyed by the conflict. It is heart-breaking to see violence escalating again in eastern Congo, threatening tens of thousands of people. We need to help alleviate their suffering,’ said Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva i.

There are 2.4 million internally displaced people within the country, and over 650 000 people have been displaced in eastern DRC since April 2012. Humanitarian aid is essential for their survival.

The new funding of €15 million will bring the total humanitarian aid from the Commission to DRC to almost €80 million this year.

It will help over 700 000 people in urgent need. The priority is immediate life-saving activities such as cholera control, distribution of essential food and non-food items, shelter, healthcare and protection.

Related information

Aid in action Democratic Republic of Congo

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