Some hope for humanitarian action, Oshima says

The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Kenzo Oshima, has said a “window of opportunity” exists for enhanced humanitarian action in the DRC as a result of “current political developments”.
In a report on his mission to the DRC last month, Oshima noted that less than half the displaced population, estimated to be over two million people, and only a small percentage of the 16 million war-affected civilians received “intermittent” humanitarian assistance. “One third of the population, some 16 million people, is affected by various conflicts within the country,” his report stated. “Over 2 million people have been internally displaced, and another 300,000 have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.” Approximately 75 percent of the population lacked access to basic health care, and infant and maternal mortality rates were among the highest in the world. “In such an environment of massive humanitarian deficit, the major impediment facing the humanitarian community is the lack of access to vulnerable populations, worsened by a combination of factors including the country’s vast size, poor infrastructure, and rampant insecurity,” Oshima said. “Accordingly, the main focus of my meetings with the protagonists was the possibility of expanding humanitarian space.”

He drew attention to favourable developments that provided an opportunity to reinforce not only conventional life-saving activities but also to move toward more innovative approaches. One such initiative was the “peace boat” project, which seeks to facilitate the exchange of vital supplies across the frontline on the Congo River. This had “the potential to contribute to confidence building among the Congolese and to facilitate assistance to remote and cut-off areas”, Oshima said. “Whilst the magnitude and complexity of the conflict in the DRC are certainly challenging, these emerging opportunities should be seized...Donors should be persuaded that increased support would yield real peace dividends.”

During the mission from 5 - 11 April, Oshima met President Joseph Kabila and key members of his government, as well as representatives of both rebel groups, the Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD, backed by Rwanda) and the Front pour la liberation du Congo (FLC, backed by Uganda), in Goma and Bunia, respectively. Visits to Kabinda (formerly on the frontline), Kalemie and Bukavu were also included.