Hungry, thirsty and homeless: this is how displaced people find themselves in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

MADRID, 3 Dec. (By Geoffrey Kalebbo Denye, World Vision emergency communications specialist) -

Following ongoing fighting between government forces and the M23, at least 90,000 people have been displaced since October 20 in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These camps are already overcrowded, causing unthinkable human suffering.

"The shooting started around midnight, and the sound of gunshots was getting louder and closer. What was happening outside was terrifying, but I knew that waiting was more dangerous. The gunshots wouldn't stop, so I woke the kids up. I said it was time to run," recalls Bahati Fifi Nguruzira. Despite being pregnant, and expecting her sixth child, she set out on a long 35-kilometre trek from Rugari to Kanyarucinya, in Nyiragongo territory.

Bahati Fifi is one of more than 16,000 people currently displaced and crowded into and around Kanyarucinya Primary School following recent fighting between the DRC Armed Forces and the M23. The country hosts the largest number of internally displaced persons in Africa, with 5.5 million people. Fifi, like other people recently uprooted from their homes, adds to that number. Many of them are already displaced families who have to flee again to save their lives, with hardly anything.

For Bahati, this is the second time he has had to flee the conflict this year. "The first time was months ago, when I had to get my bean patch ready for harvesting. When I got home I found all my beans had been stolen. It's probably the same this time as well. There won't be any food even when we get back." to home".

Families survive in miserable conditions outdoors, under trees, in school classrooms and in churches, where they suffer heavy downpours, with almost no support.

The twigs and leaves from which Bahati Fifi narrates her ordeal serve as a mattress. "Although I was relieved to arrive somewhere without the sound of guns, I was exhausted. Also, there was no room for us in the classrooms when we arrived after a day of walking. We found a corner and lay down on the floor to sleep. It was warm. cold, but we had nothing to keep us warm. In that place, eating is a problem, sleeping is a problem, and washing is another problem. We are suffering. On Monday, I was very hungry, so I left the camp in search of generous people to help me with something I went begging. Today I don't know where I'm going to get food from, I'm worried about my future baby and my children. Please don't let us starve and help us."

Overcrowded camps, which lack the necessary sanitary facilities during the rainy season, have left affected communities exposed to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and dysentery.

"When I want to wash, there are people everywhere. Even when I wait for the night, there are still people everywhere. We don't have safe and private places to wash. Going to the bathroom is even worse. You have to be prepared to wait in line for a long time." weather". According to Gato Mwenza Julien, one of the camp managers, there are 18 latrines for 16,000 people, that is, one latrine for every 900 people, while new arrivals continue to be received.

It begins to rain while Bahati narrates the plight of the displaced, and the perforated tin blind lets the water freely pass through. She may have to find another place to sleep tonight.

The situation of the boys and girls is also critical as they are losing food, education and medical attention, and some could die. Amina, who lives in the same camp, has been in and out of school due to the ongoing outbreaks of conflict. "I miss going to class and my friends. There are a lot of people here and it doesn't feel too safe. Sometimes children who run away from home get lost because they can't find their way back home," says the 15-year-old. .

"We don't have food and when the volunteers bring us something to eat, people fight over it because they think there will not be enough for everyone. Sometimes children who are very hungry take food from other places without permission and when they are caught they are beaten." .

Also, the toilets are too few and everyone looks at us while queuing to use them. I'm embarrassed, so sometimes I wait to go at night. However, it scares me because the bathrooms are far from our sleeping space. I hope the war ends quickly so we can go home."

The NGO World Vision is currently on the ground, assisting multiple crises in the country, providing food and water, protection and attending to the psychosocial needs of the displaced population. But the needs outweigh the supply. The humanitarian need is enormous and the funds to respond are next to nil.