Situation Update
Over decades, armed conflicts and general insecurity in Democratic Republic of Congo (hereafter DRC) has been one of the world’s most complex and long-standing humanitarian crisis. Political changes, ethnic tensions, continuous clashes between different armed groups have left the country in a vicious cycle of violence and fighting which become part of the daily life for thousands of civilians.
Since 2012, the humanitarian situation has continued to worsen in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu in eastern DRC. Repeated fighting has led to numerous casualties and over 1.6 million displaced, mostly with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Amidst ongoing violence, civilians are vulnerable to attacks which do not even spare children or elderly people, sexual abuses, forcible recruitment of children by weapon bearers, destruction of property and looting.
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Actions
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has a delegation in DRC since 1978. While continuing to disseminate International Humanitarian Law (IHL) to promote respect for civilians and medical personnel among weapon bearers on the ground, ICRC maintains its activities to meet the pressing needs of the conflict-affected people.
The ICRC is seeking approximately HK$585 million globally to scale up its 2013 operation in DRC, expected to provide emergency relief to more than 242,000 internally displaced people (IDP). With the Red Cross Society of the DRC as its key operational partner, the ICRC operation will include:
- Assisting the displaced people to cope with their immediate needs with food, safe drinking water and essential household items including shelter materials;
- Supporting 14 hospitals and 7 health centres to provide emergency medical and surgical treatment to weapon-wounded patients;
- Trainings and briefings on IHL for the government representatives and members of the armed forces;
- Paying regular visits to detainees and ensure the provision of food and basic health services in 19 prisons;
- Restoring contacts for the separated family members, especially the unaccompanied children.
Hong Kong Red Cross Actions
The Hong Kong Red Cross has mobilized HKD 200,000 to support the ICRC 2013 operation in DRC. The fund will be specifically supporting the provision of emergency food assistance and essential household items to the displaced people, as well as livelihood support such as staple crop and vegetable seed, to the families hosting the displaced people in the relatively stabilized areas.
The Hong Kong Red Cross continues to monitor the progress made in DRC in coordination with the International Red Cross. No appeal has been launched in Hong Kong at the moment.
General Enquiries
Please dial 2802-0016, fax to 2802-0017 or email to relief@redcross.org.hk.