Media Advisory: Visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo by the Head and Representative of OCHA in Geneva and Director of the Coordination Division

Kinshasa, 12 March 2024 – Mr. Ramesh Rajasingham, Representative of the OCHA Office in Geneva and Director of the Division of Humanitarian Operations Coordination, is on a working visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 11 to 16 March 2024.

On 11 March, Mr. Rajasingham met with the Minister of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Actions and National Solidarity in Kinshasa. The discussions focused on the severity of the humanitarian crisis and the importance of close collaboration between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and humanitarian partners. The aim is to respond in a coordinated and effective manner to the needs of the populations affected by the conflicts in the east of the country, as well as by the climatic shocks that have been affecting the country for several months.

From 12 March onwards, Mr. Rajasingham will visit the east of the country, including North Kivu and South Kivu. In Goma (North Kivu), he will meet with the provincial authorities, humanitarian actors and civil society organizations involved in the humanitarian response. He will also have the opportunity to exchange views with people affected by the crisis. The Director of OCHA Coordination will then travel to South Kivu where he will meet with MONUSCO officials, donors and humanitarian actors. The discussions will focus on the practical arrangements to be put in place to ensure the continuation of humanitarian operations, in complete safety and in accordance with humanitarian principles, after the withdrawal of MONUSCO.

The humanitarian situation in the DRC remains dramatic and complex. Nearly a quarter of the country's population (25.4 million people) have high multisectoral needs in 2024. The escalation of tensions, intercommunal conflicts and instability in eastern DRC is exacerbating existing humanitarian challenges, such as food insecurity and serious protection problems, including gender-based violence. This year, humanitarian actors need US$2.6 billion to provide assistance to 8.7 million of the most vulnerable people in the country.

For more information, please contact:

Jean Jonas Tossa, Public Information Officer, OCHA, +243817061220, tossa4@un.org