 |
Democratic Republic of Congo |
Disaster Assistance at a Glance
Recent Disaster Declarations:
Ebola, Complex Emergency
OFDA Response:
Agriculture and food security, capacity building, emergency relief supplies, health, infrastructure rehabilitation, livelihoods, logistics, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene
Latest OFDA Report:
Democratic Republic of Congo Fact Sheet #1 (52kb PDF) |
 |
|
|
Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Complex Emergency, 10-7-2009
Since 1998, fighting, as well as disease and malnutrition resulting from armed conflict have claimed an estimated 5.4 million lives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The decade of conflict has displaced a total of more than 3 million Congolese across eastern and southern DRC and hindered access to agricultural land and traditional markets. Ongoing violence in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Orientale provinces, poor road infrastructure, and targeted attacks on humanitarian staff continue to result in protection concerns, decreased humanitarian access in eastern DRC, and the displacement of more than 2.2 million people. Lord’s Resistance Army attacks on civilian populations in Orientale Province and renewed conflict between the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda and joint Armed Forces of the DRC and U.N. Mission in the DRC operations in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces continue to result in insecurity and impediments to humanitarian response.
On October 7, 2009, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Samuel V. Brock redeclared a disaster in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency in the DRC. In Fiscal Year 2009, the U.S. Government provided more than $191 million for humanitarian assistance in the DRC, including nearly $34 million in USAID/OFDA funding for agriculture and food security, economic recovery and market systems, humanitarian coordination and information management, health, nutrition, protection, shelter and settlements, and water, sanitation, and hygiene programs and the provision of relief commodities.
Additional Disaster Declarations:
Complex Emergency, 10-15-2008
Since 1998, armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has claimed an estimated 5.4 million lives due to fighting, disease, and malnutrition. In 2006 and 2007, an improved security situation encouraged more than 600,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return to areas of origin, and relative calm continued following the signing of the January 2008 peace agreement. Since August 2008, renewed clashes between armed opposition groups and government forces, concentrated in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Orientale provinces resulted in additional displacement. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported approximately 800,000 IDPs in North Kivu, the highest level since 2003. In addition, higher food prices, increased rates of forced child-recruitment into armed groups, and poor water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions contributed to a deteriorating humanitarian condition among displaced populations. Attacks on non-governmental organization staff members and poor infrastructure significantly hindered response efforts.
On October 15, 2008, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Samuel V. Brock redeclared a disaster in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency in the DRC. Since 1998, USAID/OFDA has provided approximately $220 million in emergency assistance to vulnerable populations in the DRC, including health, protection, and water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions, as well as food security and agriculture activities. In response to recent violence, USAID/OFDA has refocused support to increase food security and access to health care for displaced populations.
Complex Emergency, 10-09-2007
Since 1998, armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has claimed an estimated 4 million lives due to fighting, disease, and malnutrition. At the height of the emergency, the conflict displaced 3.3 million residents, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In 2006 and 2007, the surrender and disarmament of multiple armed opposition groups encouraged more than 600,000 people to return home in Ituri District and Katanga Province. However, in 2007 security in North Kivu Province has deteriorated due to clashes between the Congolese Armed Forces and dissident troops led by General Laurent Nkunda. As a result, more than 300,000 people have fled their homes—the highest rate of displacement in three years, according to OCHA. Due to the presence of armed groups, insecurity continues to destabilize eastern DRC and hinder the provision of humanitarian assistance to populations in need.
On October 9, 2007, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Samuel V. Brock redeclared a disaster in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency in the DRC. Since 1998, USAID/OFDA has provided more than $200 million in vital emergency assistance to vulnerable populations in the DRC, including emergency supplies, health care, nutrition programs, water and sanitation improvements, and food security and agriculture activities. In response to the most recent population displacements, USAID/OFDA has airlifted relief commodities to benefit up to 100,000 people.
Ebola, 09-21-2007
On September 10, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Biological Laboratory of Franceville, Gabon, confirmed cases of Ebola hemorrhagic fever in West Kasai Province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). As of September 17, Kasai Province health officials had reported 380 suspected cases of Ebola virus, including 176 deaths, representing a 46 percent mortality rate. The epicenter of the outbreak is in the Mweka rural health zone, although suspected cases have been reported as far as 300 km away in neighboring East Kasai province. Significant delays in reporting suspected outbreaks hampered the government’s ability to contain the spread of the disease. On September 10, following the confirmation of Ebola in West Kasai, the Congolese Minister of Health requested international assistance to contain the outbreak.
On September 21, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Samuel V. Brock declared a disaster in response to the Ebola outbreak in West Kasai Province. In response, USAID provided $250,000 to expand ongoing surveillance and control activities. U.S. Government health teams, including CDC and USAID-funded Project AXxes, are coordinating with the Government of the DRC and other organizations to collect samples and confirm cases of the virus. USAID staff continue to monitor conditions on the ground and will provide additional assistance if necessary.
Complex Emergency, 09-29-2006
Since 1998, armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has claimed an estimated 4 million lives due to fighting, disease, and malnutrition. According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),
the conflict has displaced 3.3 million residents, of which approximately 2.1 million have returned from displacement and are attempting to restore their homes and livelihoods. Ongoing insecurity in eastern DRC, due to the presence of national
and foreign armed groups, continues to destabilize the region and hinder the provision of humanitarian assistance to populations in need. In January 2006, OCHA estimated that 80 percent of the population lived in absolute poverty and 71 percent
suffered from insecurity as a result of the conflict and ongoing instability.
On September 29, 2006, U.S. Ambassador Roger A. Meece redeclared a disaster in response to the ongoing humanitarian emergency in the DRC. Since 1998, OFDA has provided more than $177 million in vital emergency assistance to vulnerable
populations in the DRC, including emergency supplies, health care, nutrition programs, water and sanitation improvements, and food security and agriculture activities.
For information on additional USAID disaster responses in the Democratic Republic of Congo, please see OFDA Annual Reports.
Back to Top ^ |
: 
: 
: 
: 
: 
: 
: 
: 
: 
: 
