-
new UK humanitarian programme, worth £21m this year, to focus on dire needs in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
-
The program will provide life-saving assistance in emergencies, support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), treatment for severely malnourished children, and help those affected by the conflict to recover and re-establish their livelihoods.
-
the program will build on the UK’s record of providing vital humanitarian support to the most vulnerable Congolese
The UK is announcing today (Friday 26 May) a new humanitarian program in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which will spend £21 million this year. The program is part of the UK’s long-term commitment to reduce the impact of humanitarian crises in the Democratic Republic of Congo by helping those most in need and protecting the most vulnerable.
The program will focus on 3 key areas:
-
prioritize humanitarian assistance to those who need it most, the recently displaced, and those affected by conflict and disaster
-
protect people at risk, reduce violence against women and girls, and help survivors recover and stay safe
-
prevent cycles of humanitarian crises by helping people affected by conflict and displacement to recover, rebuild livelihoods and support the resilience of communities
The humanitarian crisis in the DRC remains one of the most serious in the world, with record levels of displacement and suffering. Through the new programme, the UK will support affected populations to recover and rebuild their lives. We will continue to work closely with the DRC Government and our international partners to support stability, peace and prosperity for all Congolese.
The program will build on the UK’s longstanding humanitarian commitment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since 2017, UK humanitarian programs have:
- provided cash, vouchers or food to more than 2.5 million people
- provided shelter and household items to 2.4 million people
- treated almost 350,000 children with severe acute malnutrition
- integrated more than 100,000 children back to school
- supported 13,000 SGBV/trauma survivors
- reunited almost 4,000 separated children
The UK is committed to addressing humanitarian crises around the world, as set out in the UK Government Strategy for International Development. The strategy commits to stepping up the UK’s humanitarian work to save lives to prevent the worst forms of human suffering around the world and to lead the world in a more effective international response to humanitarian crises. The UK will continue to work with the DRC Government and humanitarian actors to improve the prioritization of support, the protection of civilians, access for humanitarian actors and the overall effectiveness of the humanitarian system.
Director of Development Laura Mazal said:
The UK is committed to providing urgent support to the most vulnerable Congolese in desperate need. That’s why today I’m announcing $26 million in new humanitarian support.
UK support will provide vital assistance to those who have been displaced from their homes. Will support survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. It will provide treatment to severely malnourished children. And it will help those affected by the conflict to recover and restore their livelihoods.
But we cannot act alone. The government and the international community must work together to save lives, protect civilians from abuse and end the violence that causes so much suffering.