DR Congo-Amid Shrinking Aid, Women Are First Victims of Humanitarian Crisis

Violence linked to conflicts results in massive displacements, exposing women to added risks, notably sexual aggression, precarious sanitary situations and exclusion from essential services.

The humanitarian situation is taking a heavy toll on women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) amid the armed violence unsettling the country.

Bruno Lemarquis, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator in the DR Congo, has raised concerns over unmet needs regarding protection and care for survivors of violence, especially women. Lemarquis expressed his concern during an online campaign for aid funding tagged “Every Dollar Counts.”

“It is a crisis of protection, the women and children being the first victims,” the humanitarian coordinator said.

Violence linked to conflicts results in massive displacements, exposing women to added risks, notably sexual aggression, precarious sanitary situations and exclusion from essential services. On the ground, despite considerable efforts by humanitarian teams, resources remain insufficient. By mid-July this year, only 13 per cent of the funds necessary for the year had been raised. This crisis of financing has direct effects. In certain zones, the women who are victims of sexual violence no longer receive medical treatment or psycho-social support, which is indispensable to their well-being.

During a recent mission in North Kivu and South Kivu, Lemarquis visited a health centre supported by Humanitarian Funds. While childbirth is free of charge, the available resources are significantly below what is needed. There is a lack of personnel, equipment, and medicine, which compromises the quality of maternal care.

Women are also affected by the insufficiency of water, hygiene and sanitation, which aggravates their vulnerability in the face of epidemics such as cholera. Only 10 per cent of the needs in these sectors are daily covered.

“Thanks to humanitarian teams on the ground, these modest contributions are being transformed into concrete actions: hygiene kits to prevent diseases, protection for the survivors of violence”

WUNRN

Amid Shrinking Aid, Women Are First Victims of Humanitarian Crisis in DR Congo – HumAngle