The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has called on the international community to assist in breaking the cycle of crisis in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as they prepare to welcome Pope Francis.
Development Diaries reports that Pope Francis is visiting the two conflict-torn countries this week to deliver messages of peace and reconciliation.
The Vatican’s envoy to the Democratic Republic of the Congo has said the trip will remind the world not to ignore decades-long conflicts.
Although a peace deal was signed in 2018 that promised an end to the five-year civil war, the predominantly Christian nation of South Sudan is still reeling from violence.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the other hand, has been the scene of one of the world’s longest-armed conflicts with the eastern part of the country now plagued with at least 122 rebel groups.
‘Increasing violence and deteriorating conditions, including lack of basic services, has caused the situation in South Sudan to become a full-blown humanitarian emergency’, IRC’s Regional Vice President, Kurt Tjossem, said in a statement.
‘With the country almost neglected, the total number of South Sudanese refugees has now passed two million and it is the largest refugee crisis in Africa.
‘Meanwhile, the DRC is experiencing intensified conflicts and violence in the eastern provinces. With an increased number of outbreaks compounded by limited basic services, the humanitarian situation has continued to deteriorate.
‘27 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance – including 15.8 million children, the scale and complexity of needs and protection concerns remain overwhelming.
‘With continued global inflation, nearly 25 million Congolese and 7.8 million South Sudanese, which is about a third quarter of the entire country’s population, are projected to experience crisis or worse (IPC 3+) levels of food insecurity in 2023′.
He added that the Pope’s visit to South Sudan and the DRC is an opportunity to spotlight some of the world’s most forgotten crises, urging all religious and international leaders to follow his example and channel more focus and resources towards Africa.
Source: IRC
Photo source: EUCPHA
