For decades, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has struggled with one of the world’s most relentless emergencies, in its eastern provinces. But now the central Kasai region is facing an acute crisis: in less than a year, escalating conflict between the Congolese authorities and a local militia known as Kamwina Nsapu, has displaced 1.4 million people.

Visiting several villages in Kasai at the end of July, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O'Brien, urged the world “not to forget the terrible plight of so many people”.

The conflict in Kasai has been marked by atrocious violence and human rights abuses. Children have been recruited as combatants and abused as 'human shields' by militias. Hundreds of cases of sexual abuse and gender-based violence have been reported. In one site for internally displaced people, Mr. O'Brien met a young woman, Mangasa, who was almost burned alive when her village was attacked. He also visited a school where 1,000 children are sheltering, having been separated from their families. Many are traumatized and malnourished.

"How many more clues do we need before we step up?” asked Mr. O’Brien. "These children have escaped from terrible circumstances. The evidence of stunting through the deprivation of food and basic services is here for all to see... We need to mobilize money and get the resources that can help.”

Only 20 per cent of the US$64.5 million emergency appeal for the Kasai crisis launched in April has been funded.

Conflict and food insecurity

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August 22nd, 2018

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