The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been in the grip of a humanitarian crisis for several decades, and the situation has worsened in 2022 due to heightened violence. The country is grappling with a complex emergency, characterized by displacement, food insecurity, and outbreaks of diseases like Ebola and COVID-19. The situation is dire, with millions of people in urgent need of humanitarian aid.

In the past year, the number of Congolese individuals requiring urgent humanitarian aid has surged to 27 million, marking a nearly 38% increase in demand compared to the previous year. This represents one of the highest levels of need in the world and has put immense strain on aid organizations and the government.

The humanitarian crisis in the DRC has been driven by a range of factors, including armed conflict, displacement, and economic instability. Many communities in the country have been affected by violence, with armed groups perpetrating atrocities against civilians, including sexual violence and forced displacement.

How did it get so bad?

Like other countries on this list, the recent history of the DRC has seen oppression, neglect, and unrest. The country suffered especially under Belgian colonial rule in the 19th Century and was set up for failure when it gained independence in 1960. Even with peace officially declared, violence has not gone away. Outbreaks of armed conflict have been triggered by land, natural resources, and ethnic disputes.

What’s being done

Concern's involvement in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) began when the country was still known as Zaire. Over the years, the organization has shifted its focus from emergency response to long-term development initiatives. One of the main areas of intervention has been education, with Concern building schools, training teachers and health volunteers, and supporting agriculture and livelihood projects. Additionally, they have spearheaded the installation of new water and sanitation infrastructure in regions that have been slow to recover from two devastating civil wars.

Despite these efforts, the humanitarian situation in the DRC remains dire. Aid organizations are grappling with one of the most complex and challenging crises in the world, with millions of people in need of assistance. The scale of the crisis is overwhelming, and urgent action is needed to address its root causes and provide essential services like healthcare, clean water, and food to the affected communities.