ICRC President Peter Maurer was in the DRC last week to take stock of our operation and the humanitarian situation in the country.

In Goma, Mr. Maurer spoke of daily attacks against civilians taking place "amid total indifference" and called on the parties and the international community to urgently work for greater respect for IHL.

Mr. Maurer was in Paris yesterday, asking donors for broader support, including for our DRC operation. He provides a dramatic picture of the overall humanitarian situation and explains that we will aim to increase our programs in the DRC, particularly in the east of the country.

Africa

DR Congo

From The Field

ICRC President

April 23, 2013 by Simon Schorno

In DR Congo, a dire situation today... and 35 years ago

ICRC President Peter Maurer today held a press conference in Kinshasa to bring attention to the humanitarian situation in the Kivus.

Sadly, we have been present in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the last 35 years and while the geography and dynamics of the conflict might have changed, the same fundamental problem - disrespect of the basic principles of IHL by parties - persists.

This June 12, 1978 interview with delegate Jeanne Egger about our response to fighting in Kolwesi, in Katanga province, illustrates the continuing plight of Congolese civilians and our longstanding relationship with their National Red Cross Society.

January 14, 2013 by Peter Maurer

ICRC President on eastern Congo challenges

Al Jazeera published this timely op-ed by ICRC President Peter Maurer on January 10.

Staying connected: A strategy for survival in eastern Congo

When the recent upsurge in fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo triggered another mass exodus from around the North Kivu town of Goma, it seemed that life could hardly get much worse for the inhabitants of this remote and volatile region.

Africa

DR Congo

Restoring Family Links

Humanitarian Action

ICRC President

November 29, 2012 by Simon Schorno

From the field - In North Kivu, assisting civilians as frontlines shift

The situation in Goma itself remains tense but as frontlines shift to the west, concerns are growing about the plight of civilians who have fled to surrounding areas.

Massive diplacement occurred over the last days and ICRC teams describe significant humanitarian needs in and near towns like Sake, Masisi, Ruchuru and Kalege.

DR Congo head of delegation Franz Rauchenstein speaks of a traumatised population lacking food, water and access to health care and facing an uncertain future.

Mr. Rauchenstein explains that the focus for ICRC assistance teams operating out of Goma is now access to more remote areas that were off-limits in recent days due to prevaling insecurity.

November 23, 2012 by Simon Schorno

From the field - Rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Kivus

The North Kivu capital of Goma has seen intense fighting between rebels and Congolese troops over the last few days, raising fears about the welfare of civilians caught in and displaced by the fighting.

Annick Bouvier, ICRC spokesperson in the DR Congo, describes a city deeply affected by violence. ICRC assistance and protection teams are responding to the most urgent needs in spite of a significant security challenges, with a focus on health care and water provision.

Ms. Bouvier explains how in the last three days, delegates were able to recover mortal remains, support local health structures with medicines and surgical kits and remind parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law.

October 10, 2012 by Simon Schorno

World Mental Health Day - In the DRC, invisible wounds and recovery

On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, our colleagues in the DRC provide a look at the plight of youth forcibly recruited by armed groups and the psychological support they receive after they return home.

Africa

DR Congo

Healthcare In Danger

September 18, 2012 by Simon Schorno

In the Kivus, an influx of war-wounded

Earlier this month, ICRC Chief Surgeon Dr. Hassan Nasreddine carried out a field assessment of the health needs and local capacity in the DRC's North and South Kivus, where the humanitarian situation has sharply deteriorated in recent months.

With violence and displacement on the rise and few if any medical facilities in the areas most affected by fighting, our colleagues regularly medevac urgent medical cases to Bukavu and Goma clinics and hospitals supported by the ICRC.

Dr. Nasreddine reports an influx of war-wounded in both Bukavu and Goma, with more patients requiring long stays in health facilities that are increasingly unable to cope on their own. Back only a few days, he explains how the ICRC will in coming weeks respond to humanitarian needs on the ground.

Africa

DR Congo

Health Care in danger

September 13, 2012 by Simon Schorno

Decisive Moments - Congo Roots, by Jonathan Torgovnik

Jonathan Torgovnik, a South Africa-based photojournalist represented by Reportage by Getty Images, recently travelled to the Republic of Congo and the DR Congo.

With the ICRC, Mr.Torgovnik accessed remote areas still affected by events that took place back in 2009.

"I'm very interested in looking at issues related to post-conflict and look at the people that are left with a lot of the burden after a war", says Mr.Torgovnik.

Put your headphones on, and have a look.

Africa

DR Congo

Republic of the Congo

Decisive Moments

Photojournalism

Multimedia

August 20, 2012 by Simon Schorno

World Humanitarian Day: videos on threats to health care

To mark World Humanitarian Day on 19 August, here is the last of a three-part video series shows how threats to health care are costing lives in DR Congo.

Mariam Akwera, the ICRC's health delegate in North Kivu, explains the direct effects on the population that derive from obstruction of access to health care and threats to ICRC staff and Congolese Red Cross volunteers.

Africa

DR Congo

World Humanitarian Day

Healthcare In Danger

August 08, 2012 by Simon Schorno

From the field - Violence and displacement on the rise in eastern DRC

Recent fighting in eastern DR Congo is intensifying and impacting thousands of civilians.

The levels of violence and the humanitarian situation prevailing in South Kivu are particularly worrying according to Franz Rauchenstein, head of the ICRC delegation in the DRC.

Mr. Rauchenstein explains that ethnic tensions are on the rise and that civilians in north and south Kivu are now routinely targeted by armed groups.

Health care facilites are also attacked and looted, a worrying development which compounds the suffering of the population.

The ICRC in Goma and Bukavu is responding by supplying food, medical supplies and medicines. Teams are also vaccinating children in areas affected by the violence and evacutating the sick and wounded by helicopter.

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ICRC President on DR Congo

In DR Congo, a dire situation today... and 35 years ago

ICRC President on eastern Congo challenges

From the field - In North Kivu, assisting civilians as frontlines shift

From the field - Rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Kivus

World Mental Health Day - In the DRC, invisible wounds and recovery

In the Kivus, an influx of war-wounded

Decisive Moments - Congo Roots, by Jonathan Torgovnik

World Humanitarian Day: videos on threats to health care

From the field - Violence and displacement on the rise in eastern DRC

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