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UN coordinator: $2.25B required to combat mass displacement in Congo – JURIST

UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Bruno Lemarquis Wednesday indicated in a report that the UN will need to raise $2.25 billion to combat widespread the mass displacement of people in the DRC.Lemarquis stated that security incidents against aid workers in the DRC continue to be a major barrier to humanitarian access. The report lays out a strategy to target at least 10 million people who require immediate humanitarian assistance.According to the report, at least 5.7 million people have been forced to flee their homes as a result of M23 attacks. The majority have temporarily settled in North Kivu, South Kivu and Kasai. The report also states:Security incidents and targeted attacks against humanitarian workers in the DRC are a major challenge for humanitarian access. In 2022, there were approximately 293 security incidents directly affecting humanitarian workers and humanitarian goods against 292 incidents in 2021. Nine aid workers were killed in 2022, 21 kidnapped and 23 injured. The threat of kidnapping against humanitarians, localized conflicts and the insecurity raging on several roads are among the most critical constraints affecting humanitarian operations.The UN’s response approach will concentrate on the effects of five humanitarian impacts: population movement, food shortages, hunger, epidemics and protection incidents. Additionally, it will consider the unique needs of those who live with impairments as well as the risks they face.Two primary goals make up the response strategy. With an emphasis on vulnerable groups, the first strategy goal  calls for multi-sectoral emergency assistance that will quickly react to the needs of 10 million people. Strategic goal two will help those impacted by the security crisis improve their living situations and fortify their ability to protect against, manage and recover from shock.