Jacqueline Simba, DRC "Some take to prostitution to survive"

Having lived in a centre for internally displaced persons for several years, suffering has almost become a way of life Jacqueline Simba, 45. Originally from the troubled northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo province of Orientale, Simba fled her home to the capital, Kinshasa, to escape attacks my armed groups. She told IRIN on 25 April in Kinshasa that she would like to return home but that the government and aid agencies had been slow in facilitating this.

"We have been in this centre for the war displaced at Nganda Musolo since 1998, and have not received any more humanitarian aid for the last three years. We survive by growing a few crops and sell our meagre harvest after walking long distances.

"Some take to prostitution to survive. We also have many women who have been raped and become pregnant. Neither the mothers nor the children ever know their fathers because the women have been gang raped. Some only realise they are pregnant after arriving in Kinshasa. Given this, some women feel they have nothing to lose by engaging in prostitution as a means of survival. Some now have children who are seven years old.

"Forgive me, but for decency sake we do not like to reveal either these women or their children.

"We all want to return on our homes in North Kivu [Province] or Ituri [District], but the United Nations Development Programme and the government are procrastinating. Initially, they had promised us fifty-five US dollars for each family, a reinsertion package and a bicycle. That has taken time. Now they seem to want to reduce the quantity given.

"This does nothing for us. We have had enough. The authorities should give us all they can; but the most important thing for us is that they should put us on a riverboat and take us to Kinsangani, my hometown, where I can re-engage in my activities."