D.R. Congo: UN Humanitarian Chief Arrives in Kinshasa

(Kinshasa / New York / Geneva, 8 March 2011): The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Valerie Amos, arrived today in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for a two-day visit.

Ms. Amos will travel to two of the country's provinces most affected by armed violence: North Kivu and Orientale. This is her first visit to the DRC since she took up her post in September 2010.

"The situation in the DRC receives far less attention than it deserves. Millions of people in crisis areas have rarely known peace and security. The humanitarian situation is not only one of the world's most serious, but also one of the most enduring", she said just after landing in the Congolese capital Kinshasa.

The DRC is affected by multiple humanitarian crises, especially in the country's east and north-east. Each crisis has separate causes and dynamics, but there is widespread poverty, low levels of development, and ongoing abuses and violence against civilians.

During her mission, Ms. Amos will look at the scale of and gaps in the humanitarian response. "I have come to see for myself how the situation is evolving, how we can better respond to the needs of the people, and how we can support the Government in increasing its role in the response", she said. Protection of civilians and how to ensure better access to people in need are at the top of the concerns. She will discuss these issues with the authorities, with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), and with the humanitarian community.

"Many Congolese get caught up in conflict and violence," she said. "They are the innocent victims of ongoing hostilities between armed groups. We continue to call on these groups not to harm civilians, and to comply with international humanitarian law. People in the DRC want peace, security and stability. They want an end to the violence and conflict".

It is estimated that almost 1.7 million people are internally displaced in the DRC due to armed violence. Most of them have continuing and significant humanitarian needs. Even in non-conflict areas, humanitarian indicators are alarming, and humanitarian aid continues to be needed. Global acute malnutrition in many non-conflict areas is well in excess of 10%, and only 47% of people nation-wide have access to clean water.

For further information, please call: OCHA Kinshasa: Maurizio Giuliano, +243 995 901 532, giuliano@un.org; OCHA-New York: Stephanie Bunker, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 347 244 2106, bunker@un.org; Nicholas Reader, +1 212 963 4961, mobile +1 646 752 3117, reader@un.org, OCHA-Geneva: Elisabeth Byrs, +41 22 917 2653, mobile +41 79 473 4570, byrs@un.org