Nairobi (ICRC) – The humanitarian situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the neighboring countries has been deteriorating rapidly following the recent surge of the armed conflict. In the east of the DRC, hundreds of thousands fled their homes, and tens of thousands have been crossing the borders into neighboring Burundi, Uganda and Rwanda in search of safety.
With support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), National Red Cross Societies in DRC, Burundi, and Rwanda and Uganda have mobilized hundreds of volunteers to provide emergency humanitarian response.
“People risk their lives trying to cross the river, sometimes with small kids. It is heartbreaking to see,” said Niragira Sylvère, a volunteer from the Burundi Red Cross Society. The organization has deployed a team of lifeguards to prevent people from drowning in the Rusizi River and an ambulance to provide first aid and medical evacuations.
As thousands continue fleeing the armed violence, families get separated, and a growing number of people are searching for their loved ones. “When people move so quickly and in such large numbers, there is always a very high risk they may lose sight of each other. And when children get separated from their caretakers, they become extremely vulnerable,” said Margot Champeix, ICRC protection coordinator in the region.
The ICRC is increasingly concerned about the humanitarian impact of the conflicts in eastern DRC and reminds all the parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law. Attacks against civilians and indiscriminate attacks are prohibited, and parties must take every feasible precaution to avoid civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.
In the past weeks, volunteers from DRC, Burundi, Uganda and Rwanda national Red Cross Societies with support from the ICRC have provided phone and internet services enabling hundreds of displaced people and refugees reestablish contact with their family members. Moreover, Burundi Red Cross has provided 540,000 liters of water, and other emergency assistance in the main displacement sites, while Rwanda Red Cross has been distributing essential items and providing first aid. Since the beginning of the crisis, among other activities, the ICRC in eastern DRC has treated close to 2’000 weapon-wounded people and delivered 8,410 liters of water to hospitals.
For more information, please contact:
Eleonore Asomani, ICRC Dakar, tel: +221 78 186 46 87, email: easomani@icrc.org
Julien NAMAHORO, ICRC Kigali, tel: +250 788 300 509, email: jnamahoro@icrc.org