4.1 million internally displaced lack food in DRC

By Godfrey Olukya

ARU, Democratic Republic of Congo

The number of internally displaced people in DRC has risen to 4.1 million in the past year -- from 2 million -- and they lack food and other basic necessities.

The UN migration agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), has said in a statement that the displaced people in DRC are in dire need of food yet it lacks funds to look after them. It is appealing for $75 million.

It said the DRC was the African country with the highest displacement of its population. The worst-hit areas are the eastern province of Tanganyika and the central Kasai region.

“With so many humanitarian crises worldwide, the situation in DRC is at risk of being ignored while it develops into the biggest emergency of 2018,” said Mohammed Abdiker, IOM director of operations and emergencies.“Robust funding and concerted action are urgently needed to stop already immense suffering from spiraling beyond the humanitarian community’s capacity to respond.”

By Godfrey Olukya

ARU, Democratic Republic of Congo

The number of internally displaced people in DRC has risen to 4.1 million in the past year -- from 2 million -- and they lack food and other basic necessities.

It said the DRC was the African country with the highest displacement of its population. The worst-hit areas are the eastern province of Tanganyika and the central Kasai region.