In Kinshasa, thousands of displaced individuals who escaped conflict in the eastern regions of the country are facing a severe humanitarian crisis. The lack of assistance has led to a dire situation, with several deaths already recorded.

The majority of these internally displaced people arrived from the provinces of Nord-Kivu and Sud-Kivu over a year ago, fleeing the advance of AFC-M23 rebels. Others escaped from the neighboring Ituri province following attacks by armed groups, including the Codéco militia and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

Abandoned to their fate

More than 2,600 households are confronting alarming humanitarian conditions. Many have become homeless after being compelled to vacate the churches and mosques that had initially provided them with shelter.

A significant concern is the high number of vulnerable individuals among the displaced population.

“Among the vulnerable, we have pregnant women, people with disabilities, children, students, and the elderly,” explains Jordan Mulikuza, president of the displaced people from the East in Kinshasa. “They are here without access to healthcare, housing, or food. They are in a state of total difficulty.“

The ordeal of displaced students

The situation for students is particularly harsh. Some were forced to flee the conflict, while others had already come to Kinshasa to study and are now stranded, far from parents who have also been displaced or, in the worst cases, killed. Jacques Chiza serves as their representative.

“We are going through very difficult times. We have nothing to eat. The majority of students spend their nights outside because they have nowhere to sleep. We have absolutely no assistance. We are asking anyone of good will to help us, because the situation is alarming,” he warns.

State intervention urgently needed

Tragically, sixteen people have already died in the Congolese capital due to a lack of access to medical care. The internally displaced have made numerous appeals to authorities and humanitarian organizations, but these have yet to yield significant results. They are demanding that the state take responsibility for their care.

“We have cases of illness every day. I am launching an urgent appeal to the international community, United Nations organizations, and the government to see how they can possibly intervene,” emphasizes their president, Jordan Mulikuza. He adds a stern warning: “We ask the authorities to act before the worst happens. We are sending an alarm call to the head of state to act with urgency.“

The displaced have expressed a desire to be grouped together on a single site, which would simplify the delivery of humanitarian aid. In response, Théogène Nkundiye, an adviser at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action and National Solidarity, has stated that “their situation is known and is being studied for a sustainable solution. It is still too early to talk about it today. We will know more at the appropriate time.“

This indicates that no immediate decision has been made to assist these thousands of internally displaced people, who are left to survive as best they can in the capital.