The Democratic Republic of Congo recently received a huge sum of €60 million in humanitarian aid in support of their displaced residents from the European Union. This commitment was delivered in response to the current conflict escalation in its Eastern area resulting in the fleeing of thousands from the previously secured camp especially around Goma. The EU has reaffirmed its dedication to providing life-saving assistance despite access challenges due to ongoing violence.
The funding will be channeled into critical relief efforts, including shelter, access to clean water, food assistance, and education support for vulnerable children. The EU has also emphasized the importance of protecting civilians, particularly women and children, who face increased risks of gender-based violence in conflict zones.
This latest donation brings the total humanitarian aid to DRC by the EU to over €272 million since 2023. Speaking on the matter, Hadja Lahbib, the EU’s commissioner for Crisis Management admitted to the worsening humanitarian situation and emphasized the urgency of action.
“At these particularly challenging times, the EU remains committed to supporting the most vulnerable in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite severe access constraints, we will ensure aid reaches those who need it most,” she said.
Humanitarian challenges facing DRC and the need for urgent conflict resolution
The DRC is in a battle with one of the World’s most brutal humanitarian situations where over 6.4 million of its people are internally displaced. While grappling with the worsened situation of North Kivu which saw over 480,000 new displacements in addition to South Kivu’s 178,000 since 2023, a recent attack has caused an entire camp sheltering more than 300,000 people to flee to safety.
The EU’s aid package will support emergency shelter and camp management, as well as provide clean water, food, and sanitation services. Education in emergencies will also be prioritized to ensure that displaced children do not fall behind in their learning. Special attention will be given to survivors of gender-based violence, with integrated health and psychosocial support services included in the response plan.
An EU official has reiterated that ensuring humanitarian aid to most affected rural communities has remained a big challenge for them given the intensity of the conflict. He further encouraged the respect of international humanitarian law, particularly those in charge of protecting displaced individuals, medical workers, and aid organizations that are operating in high-risk areas.
As the EU remains the key donor in DRC, officials have continued to emphasize that humanitarian aid alone cannot resolve the crisis at hand. They have instead called for all parties involved to seek diplomatic solutions, stressing sustained dialogue and negotiations as the only viable solution.