As Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces humanitarian crisis amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has called for a major increase in funding for economic recovery and protection to prevent violence against women and girls in the country.

The IRC survey of Ebola-affected communities has found that people are facing economic devastation and huge increases in violence, especially women and girls.

IRC Response Director, Borry Jatta, said, ‘We are proud to have contributed to a successful response to end the Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC, but we are alarmed by the increased vulnerability of people living in affected territories amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. DRC is dealing with a compounded emergency, including a new Ebola outbreak in Mbandaka as well as outbreaks of cholera and measles, which continue to cost thousands of lives. Initial research indicates that Covid-19, which continues to spread with nearly 6,000 cases, could compound these devastating consequences for the most vulnerable populations’.

Jatta also said, ‘The people of eastern DRC have been living in a humanitarian crisis for decades, with nearly 16 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, more than half of them children. More than 15 million people are facing food insecurity, and more than 5.5 million people have been displaced. The direct and indirect impacts of Covid-19 will affect close to three million additional people, bringing the total number of people in need to more than 19 million.’

IRC has been working in the DRC since 1996, responding to the humanitarian crisis in the east. It has since evolved into one of the largest providers of humanitarian assistance and post-conflict development, with life-saving efforts in health, economic recovery, and women and children’s protection.

Source: International Rescue Committee

Photo source: Prachatai