Democratic Republic of the Congo - ICRC Appeal 2010

The United Nations report that there are still close to 4 million forcibly displaced persons in the Great Lakes region due to conflicts including more than 800 000 refugees and close to 3 million internally displaced persons. The humanitarian and security situations in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remain a cause for concern. In particular North Kivu South Kivu and Orientale provinces are plagued by serious human rights violations food insecurity high mortality and morbidity rates sexual violence and considerable and continuing displacement of population groups which leads to medical sanitary and nutritional problems. While a large number of displaced have returned home with a return to stability in some areas the forcibly displaced people are still estimated at over 2 million and live alongside vulnerable hosting communities. CIDA's contribution allows the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to assist the displaced and residents affected by armed conflict and violence so they have the means to survive and become self-sufficient. The ICRC's activities include: rehabilitation of water and sanitation systems for vulnerable groups; reuniting children separated from their parents; providing clothing and hygiene supplies to unaccompanied minors; and ensuring that the wounded and sick receive adequate health care.