Crisis in the Kasai region: multisector response

1.27 million displaced people (8,000 daily), only 350,000 people helped by the humanitarian response… The security crisis in the Kasai region in the Democratic Republic of Congo is worsening everyday. To face the emergency needs, SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL started a mission to provide thousands of people with critical aid.

The conflict between the Congolese security forces and the armed group Kamuina Nsapu in the Kasai region lead to a major displacement of people. More than one million people had to leave their homes. Serious acts of violence are perpetrated against civilian populations: mass murder, robberies, rape and fires destroying homes, schools, churches and health centres.

“400,000 children are suffering from undernutrition and at least 250,000 people urgently need water, hygiene or sanitation assistance.
Emmanuel Rinck, in charge of Central Africa – East Africa at SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL

The Kasai region, if one of the poorest in the country, had been relatively quiet. Lack of access to basic social services, high unemployment rates, unprofitable agricultural production… “This is an added aggravating factor, says Emmanuel Rinck. People are massively fleeing a violent region where they were already lacking everything: health centres, water and food access. 11 over 16 territories are facing food insecurity, 400,000 children are suffering from undernutrition and at least 250,000 people urgently need water, hygiene or sanitation assistance to prevent cholera outbreak. Those data are alarming and risk to consistently increase as people are leaving their homes.

An exploratory mission to identify needs

The increasing risks have lead SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL to start an evaluation mission to identify the need and the most vulnerable families. The purpose is to send an emergency response. “The increasing insecurity caused by conflict has made access to agricultural fields difficult in the past months, leading to a shortage of food products on local markets. This critical situation could lead to food and nutritional insecurity”, explains Emmanuel Rinck. International aid has been too weak to face this humanitarian crisis. It is urgent to send multisector humanitarian aid that would be adequate to every need and to the local context, to meet the needs of both displaced persons and host communities.

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