DRC

In many areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo, citizens are still vulnerable to brutal violence from armed groups and in some cases from government, including the police, army and local officials.

As 2014 starts, there are reasons to hope that peace may be in sight in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The M23 has been defeated militarily and today are set to sign a peace agreement with the government, but dozens of armed groups remain in eastern DRC, exposing civilians to daily violence.

In response to today’s announcement of the end of the M23 rebellion by M23 Commander Bertrand Bisimwa, Oxfam’s DRC Humanitarian Coordinator Tariq Riebl said:

Tariq Riebl, Oxfam's humanitarian programme coordinator said:

In reaction to the UN’s peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO’s) announcement on the enforcement of a security zone and call for disarmamen

Long-term vision and committed funding urgently needed from international community as flow of Syrian refugees continues.

A framework for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo will fail to end the suffering of millions of peopleunless concrete actions are taken.

Over 700,000 vulnerable according to UN as North Kivu, in DRC, is hit by increased militarization, poor harvest & little access to clean water.

As the humanitarian crisis in eastern Congo grows, with thousands of people fleeing new fighting in the past 48 hours, Oxfam is stepping up the supply of life-saving aid to more than 80,000 people in and around Goma.