Democratic Republic of the Congo: EU allocates over €2.3 million in additional humanitarian aid

The Commission has allocated over €2.3 million to help people fleeing conflict and violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as result of the military offensive of a non-state armed group “M23”. Over half a million people have become internally displaced because of the fighting in North Kivu province.

The humanitarian crisis is deteriorating. Many displaced live in makeshift settlements close to the city of Goma. To make things worse, cholera has broken out and the ongoing emergency response needs to be scaled up urgently.

The new funding will support the cholera response in the settlements of those displaced, and to help prevent the outbreak reaching other areas. The funding will allow UNICEF, the EU’s humanitarian partner, to scale up their emergency response to provide water, sanitation and hygiene measures in the settlements in the Nyiragongo health zone north of the city of Goma in North Kivu province.

Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič said: “Armed conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has resulted in half a million people newly displaced and around 250,000 sheltering in extremely harsh conditions in makeshift shelters, struggling to survive. Civilians should never be a target. The outbreak of cholera makes the situation even worse. Our new funding will assure the delivery of safe water and urgent sanitation and hygiene measures to those at risk.”

Background

North Kivu, like other provinces in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ituri, South Kivu), suffers from a steep escalation of targeted attacks by armed groups against civilians, many of whom have already been displaced due to conflict and violence.

There are around 1.9 million internally displaced persons in North Kivu and around 5.7 million in total in the whole country. The military offensive of non-state armed group “M23” in North Kivu has intensified since October 2022, creating a deteriorating humanitarian crisis. Over half a million people have become newly displaced and relying on external assistance to survive.

The UN estimates that almost 700,000 people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance in the territories of Rutshuru, Lubero and Nyiragongo in North Kivu because of the fighting, including local host communities who have to share already scarce resources.

An estimated 2 million people are food insecure in North Kivu alone. Some of the newly displaced people started resorting to negative coping mechanisms, such as survival sex, to be able to feed their families. Humanitarian organisations are struggling to extend the emergency response due to the lack of funding.

The funding announced today brings EU humanitarian aid to the Democratic Republic of the Congo to around €82 million in 2022.

As attacks continue leaving millions without reliable access to electricity, heating, and water, our humanitarian partners like IOM continue working to meet the most pressing needs.
Claudia Amaral, Head of EU Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine

Humanitarian funding from the European Union (EU), is enabling the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to support over 700,000 Ukrainians with multi-sectoral assistance this winter, which is set to be “the most challenging season yet for the country”.

“Displaced and war-affected people will face new and growing challenges as the war drags on and winter grips Ukraine”, said Anh Nguyen, IOM’s mission chief in the country.

Ramping up assistance

IOM’s winterization support includes refurbishing collective centres hosting displaced people; improving water supply, wastewater and heating systems; repairing damaged homes; and distributing high-thermal blankets, bedding kits, mattresses, and hygiene items.

Moreover, solid fuel and cash assistance are also being provided to help people sustain themselves with flexible means throughout the bitter cold season.

IOM will also use EU funding to stock critical items, ensuring that war-affected people in Ukraine continue to be reached, and support its partners responding to the urgent needs on the ground.

“Our key priority is to support warm, safe, and dignified conditions to help people get through the next few months”, explained Mr. Nguyen.

‘Pressing needs’

Moving forward, mobile teams will conduct repairs in 375 collective sites and social institutions by improving insulation, fixing leaking roofs, replacing broken windows, and installing additional showers.  

IOM will refurbish 5,800 private homes and distribute emergency shelter kits for people to make necessary improvements themselves.

The UN agency will also support municipalities in areas recently retaken by the Government of Ukraine with construction materials and generators.

“As attacks continue leaving millions without reliable access to electricity, heating, and water, our humanitarian partners like IOM continue working to meet the most pressing needs,” said Claudia Amaral, Head of EU Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine.

18 million in need

Around 18 million Ukrainians, or 40 per cent of the country’s population, require humanitarian assistance, according to UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates.

And continuous attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure have served to increase the war’s devastating impact for the most affected people.

IOM’s latest survey shows that despite multiple incursions on the country’s power supply and heating infrastructure, Ukrainians plan to spend the winter at their current locations.

Only seven per cent of nationwide respondents surveyed said they are actively considering leaving.

Meanwhile, private resources for survival are becoming scarce, as 43 per cent of all families in Ukraine have completely exhausted their savings.

The blast in Boksburg severely damaged the roof of the emergency department at the Tambo Memorial hospital there, killing and injuring dozens while also reportedly destroying houses and cars.

Initial reports estimated around 27 deaths, but that figure had risen to 34 by the past weekend, according to regional health authorities. A memorial service for the dead was held last Friday.

News reports said the victims included nearly a dozen health workers, and almost two dozen members of the public, and due to serious injuries caused by burns, the death toll could rise still further. Children were reportedly among those who perished.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday expressed his deep sadness over the reported death of at least 34 people in South Africa, due to a fuel tanker explosion in a suburb of the capital, Johannesburg, on Christmas Eve.

Condolences

“The Secretary-General expresses his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives from the explosion and to the people and the Government of South Africa”, said the statement issued by the office of the UN Spokesperson.

“The Secretary-General wishes a full and fast recovery for those injured and the quick reconstruction of the damaged health infrastructure.”

According to news reports, the gas tanker struck the underside of a low bridge, before exploding.

Many of the victims were admitted to the hospital’s casualty unit, before having to be evacuated, ahead of the roof collapsing.

In the first-ever direct contribution between the two UN agencies in the country, the Sudan Emergency Safety Nets Project aims to provide cash transfers and food for more than two million people across the impoverished and crisis-wracked nation, including for those internally displaced.

“WFP is extremely grateful to the World Bank for this generous contribution, at a crucial time in Sudan when more and more people do not know where their next meal will come from,” said Eddie Rowe, WFP’s Representative and Country Director in Sudan. 

Food insecure

The country’s economic and political crisis has grown more intense due to rising inflation, conflict and displacement. That’s been exacerbated by climate shocks – including droughts and floods, and a poor harvest – all of which has increased food insecurity throughout Sudan.

As hunger continues to rise at “an alarming rate,” one-third of the population is facing food insecurity, said WFP.

By September, up to 18 million people, or 40 per cent of the population, could slip into hunger, according to the Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Assessment released in June.

Saving lives

In Sudan, WFP is working to sustain people facing acute hunger while addressing the root causes of food insecurity.

The newly launched project will enable the UN food relief agency to save lives while laying the foundation for a more targeted social safety net system in Sudan by supporting the most vulnerable to withstand shocks and build more resilient livelihoods for the long term.    

“This funding will help to mitigate a looming hunger crisis in Sudan and inform future social safety net systems for the country’s most vulnerable that not only saves but changes lives,” said Mr. Rowe.

Shortfall despite generosity

The allocation has been provided by the World Bank-managed Sudan Transition and Recovery Support Trust Fund (STARS), supported by the European Union, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sweden, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, Norway, Canada, Italy, Finland, Spain, Ireland, and the World Bank-administered State and Peacebuilding Fund. 

Yet, despite the substantial contribution, WFP still requires at least $266 million more through the end of the year to reach over 10 million vulnerable people year.

Since the beginning of 2022, WFP has reached 4.8 million people across Sudan with life-saving food or cash and nutrition support, school meals, and livelihood opportunities.

Global energy crisis

it was “immoral” that major oil and gas companies are reporting “record profits”, while prices soar.
Secretary-General António Guterres

“The combined profits of the largest energy companies in the first quarter of this year are close to $100 billion,” he said, urging governments to “tax these excessive profits, and use the funds raised to support the most vulnerable people through these difficult times”.

Funding green energy

The brief from the GCRG – set up by the UN chief in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – recommends that governments find effective funding for energy solutions, such as publicly financed cash transfers and rebate policies to protect vulnerable communities, including windfall taxes on the largest oil and gas companies, while also advocating for a transition to more cost-effective renewables.

It notes however, that rising energy costs may price out developing countries, especially the most vulnerable communities, from energy markets.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the countries that are already bearing the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis, continue to experience major difficulties accessing affordable energy.

‘Workable options’ lacking

More worryingly is a potential “scramble for fuel” whereby only rich countries can afford to access energy as prices continue climbing, the GCRG brief warns.

“Governments need the fiscal space to support their most vulnerable populations to avoid worsening levels of energy poverty or losing energy access altogether.

“Developing countries don’t lack reasons to invest in renewables. Many of them are living with the severe impacts of the climate crisis including storms, floods and droughts,” said Mr. Guterres.

“What they lack are concrete, workable options”.

Switch to renewables

The brief comes on the heels of the landmark Black Sea Grain Initiative agreement between the UN, Russia, Türkiye and Ukraine, to allow the commercial shipment of grain to world markets, from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.

And it makes clear that the Ukraine war and global energy crisis that it has caused, is a stark reminder that energy resilience and a stronger push for a renewable energy transition is needed.

However, as outlined by the Secretary-General, policies must be in place and readily available that include social protection measures for those affected by the transition and materials to support renewables.

The brief stresses that short-term policies and protection measures be used to mitigate the crisis, while in the medium-to-long-term, renewable energy should be championed to meet net zero goals, tackle energy poverty, boost and diversify the global energy mix.

But this requires a significant increase in global investment.

“We have to scale up financing and technology transfer for the developing countries and the energy poor of the world,” said Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and GCRG brief coordinator.

Opportunities abound

The brief upholds that by 2030, an ambitious renewable energy transition could create an additional 85 million jobs in the renewables and other energy transition-related sectors.

And renewable energy production is often the lowest cost option, with the shortest installation time thanks to current technological development, and provides countries with energy security, while also reducing future exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices.

“Renewable energy is often the cheapest, and most quick to deploy source of electricity for many countries,” said Ms. Grynspan.

“But this is only true if we ensure that supply chains work well and without bottlenecks; that the workforce has the right skills and that enough funds will be made available for the initial investments”.

Today, a new EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flight has arrived to Kabul. It has delivered 36 tonnes of life-saving cargo to address the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and support victims of the 22 June earthquake.

The cargo consists of medical equipment such as medication and relief items, equipment for safe drinking water and sanitation supplies.

It enables EU humanitarian partners UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Médecins Sans Frontières to continue delivering vital aid and health care services to Afghans in need.

Food insecure

The country’s economic and political crisis has grown more intense due to rising inflation, conflict and displacement. That’s been exacerbated by climate shocks – including droughts and floods, and a poor harvest – all of which has increased food insecurity throughout Sudan.

As hunger continues to rise at “an alarming rate,” one-third of the population is facing food insecurity, said WFP.

By September, up to 18 million people, or 40 per cent of the population, could slip into hunger, according to the Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Assessment released in June.

The June earthquake hit an already extremely fragile country, marked by decades of conflict, recurrent droughts, and a sharp economic decline due to recent political developments. The earthquake alone had devastating impact with more than 1,000 fatalities and injuring almost 3,700.

The EU allocated € 1 million in emergency funding to humanitarian organizations providing immediate humanitarian relief operations to those affected, allocating in 2022 a total of €115 million in EU humanitarian aid to the country.

High Representative Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič issued the following statement:

“On 12 July the United Nations Security Council extended for 6 months, until 10 January 2023, the authorisation for the UN to use the crossing point of Bab al-Hawa from Turkey to Syria for humanitarian deliveries, with a further extension of an additional 6 months requiring a separate resolution.

This is an important outcome for the 4.1 million Syrian men, women and children, including 2.8 million internally displaced, in north-west Syria who depend on the vital humanitarian assistance delivered through this mechanism to help them survive. At the same time we urge the members of the UNSC to uphold their commitment to renew the resolution for 6 months in December to ensure cross border assistance is sustained in the midst of winter.

While the conflict lasts, there is no adequate alternative to cross-border assistance in order to meet the increasing humanitarian needs in Syria. The extension of the use of Bab al-Hawa crossing point is a humanitarian imperative to preserve the functioning of a critical humanitarian lifeline for millions of Syrians.

Food insecure

The country’s economic and political crisis has grown more intense due to rising inflation, conflict and displacement. That’s been exacerbated by climate shocks – including droughts and floods, and a poor harvest – all of which has increased food insecurity throughout Sudan.

As hunger continues to rise at “an alarming rate,” one-third of the population is facing food insecurity, said WFP.

By September, up to 18 million people, or 40 per cent of the population, could slip into hunger, according to the Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Assessment released in June.

The EU and its Member States remain the largest donors in support of Syrians in Syria and across the region since the beginning of the crisis in 2011, mobilising over €27.4 billion in humanitarian, stabilisation and resilience assistance. The EU will continue to do its utmost to provide assistance to Syrians in need based on the humanitarian principles.

The European Union calls again for a sustainable solution to the Syrian conflict through a genuine, inclusive political transition in line with UNSC resolution 2254 and restates its support to the efforts of UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen, including his steps-for-steps approach.

Global energy crisis

it was “immoral” that major oil and gas companies are reporting “record profits”, while prices soar.
Secretary-General António Guterres

The EU has swiftly mobilised 2 firefighting airplanes and 2 helicopters to Czechia where a large forest fire is burning in the north of the country.

Following yesterday’s request for assistance, Poland and Slovakia are each operating 1 helicopter in the country. The EU has sent 2 firefighting planes from Italy to Czechia that form part of its rescEU firefighting fleet and are already operating today.

On this occasion, European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said: “We are facing very intense wildfires this summer – active across the Mediterranean and in the very centre of our continent. To combat fires ravaging in a national park in Czechia’s north bordering Germany, our Union stands in full solidarity to face the destructive fires. Assistance from Poland and Slovakia has already arrived, and so have the EU’s two firefighting planes from Italy that form part of the rescEU fleet. I thank everyone involved in ensuring such swift mobilisation of support.”

The EU’s Emergency Response Coordination Centre stands in close contact with both Czech and German authorities to support the coordination of firefighting operations in the area, and has deployed a Liaison Officer to Prague to support with incoming EU assistance.

In addition, the EU’s Copernicus satellite has been activated by Germany to collect data vital to first responders on the areas burned. 

Switch to renewables

The brief comes on the heels of the landmark Black Sea Grain Initiative agreement between the UN, Russia, Türkiye and Ukraine, to allow the commercial shipment of grain to world markets, from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.

And it makes clear that the Ukraine war and global energy crisis that it has caused, is a stark reminder that energy resilience and a stronger push for a renewable energy transition is needed.

The Chief Executive Office examines need for increased investment in primary care, community health.

On April 11, 2021, the leaders of the Agency of International Cooperation for Development gathered online for a deep and constructive meeting to examine how to best achieve a more equitable and just health care system during these uncertainties.  The virtual conversation was held with the primary purpose to evaluate the COVID-19 pandemic and the health equities the pandemic has exposed.

They examined the evolving role of community health centers in responding to the pandemic, looking specifically at their role in serving communities of color which have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Among the leaders, the Chief Executive Director, Mr. BM ANESTAL pointed out that his office will not rest until they find all the necessary means to launch this project.

ACID is founded on the indivisible, universal values of human dignity, freedom, equality, and solidarity; it is based on the principles of democracy and the rule of law. It places the individual at the heart of its activities, by establishing the citizenship of a better life and by creating an area of freedom, security, and justice. The organization contributes to the preservation and to the development of these common values while respecting the diversity of the cultures and traditions of the members. Therefore, it is revealed crucial for ACID to make sure it is involved in every sector that will help to meet its goal.

Food insecure

The country’s economic and political crisis has grown more intense due to rising inflation, conflict and displacement. That’s been exacerbated by climate shocks – including droughts and floods, and a poor harvest – all of which has increased food insecurity throughout Sudan.

As hunger continues to rise at “an alarming rate,” one-third of the population is facing food insecurity, said WFP.

By September, up to 18 million people, or 40 per cent of the population, could slip into hunger, according to the Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Assessment released in June.

The leaders highlighted that over 90 percent of the patients that will be served are of a racial or ethnic minority.

“Like other big Health care community centers, we hope to represent in some ways an extension of the public health system in a community-based approach once the project is lunched. The Urgent care center project will be launched to provide primary care to as much people as possible, regardless of their ability to pay. It is designed to serve the most vulnerable populations because the community health centers (CHCs) have been hit hard by the pandemic.” added Mr. ANESTAL.

For the implementation of the project, ACID calls on the general public to support the efforts. More updated information will be available regarding this matter in the next coming weeks.

Publication date: 15/04/2021

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