Nations Unies

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

UN HUMANITARIAN CHIEF: “WE CAN SAVE LIVES IN DRC BUT CONFLICT MUST END”

(Kinshasa /New York /Geneva, 9 March 2011): On the first day of her visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos, visited humanitarian projects in the North Kivu province, one of the worst affected by violence.

Ms. Amos expressed her concern about the lack of protection for civilians, and emphasised the continuing need for humanitarian assistance. “The daily reality for many people in this province is immensely difficult. Armed men regularly attack villages, looting, raping, maiming, killing, kidnapping, and burning the villages before leaving,” Ms. Amos said. “This forces entire communities to live in a perpetual flight mode, relying on humanitarian assistance for their survival.” Since 2009, over half a million internally displaced people have returned to areas as they become more stable, but an even greater number have since been newly displaced elsewhere.

Sexual violence, mostly committed by armed groups, remains a huge problem. Thousands of incidents are reported in North and South Kivu every year. “Sexual violence is only one symptom of a much deeper problem. Entire communities are being deprived of their right to a dignified life,” said Ms. Amos.

Humanitarian operations are heavily affected by insecurity. In 2010, 200 incidents affecting humanitarian workers were recorded in the two provinces, compared to 179 during 2009. Over 80 per cent of these involved non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which are crucial partners of the United Nations in providing humanitarian aid. Although operations often have to be suspended in different areas due to insecurity, humanitarian workers continue their efforts to reach the most vulnerable and are able to assist at least 70 per cent of those in need.

“Humanitarian assistance can save lives and alleviate suffering, but the root causes of the crisis must be addressed,” said Ms. Amos. “Full support to disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration, and efforts to end impunity for those committing these crimes must be stepped up,” said Ms. Amos, who also expressed appreciation for the swift judicial response to mass rapes committed by members of the DRC military last January.

The Kivu provinces are the scene of armed conflict between the national army and various foreign and domestic armed opposition groups, including the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) and the primarily Ugandan (ADF). The provinces currently host approximately 1.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). Over 80 per cent of the displaced live with host families, which increases the burden on people who are already vulnerable and have limited resources. With the support of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) and the rest of the international community, the Government is leading efforts to stabilize the area through the Stabilization and Reconstruction Plan for Areas Emerging from Armed Conflict (STAREC).

For further information, please call: OCHA-Kinshasa: Maurizio Giuliano, +243 995 901 532, [email protected]; OCHA-New York: Stephanie Bunker, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 347 244 2106, [email protected]; Nicholas Reader, +1 212 963 4961, mobile +1 646 752 3117, [email protected]; OCHA-Geneva: Elisabeth Byrs, +41 22 917 2653, mobile +41 79 473 4570, [email protected] OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int

The mission of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors