Crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is considered the world's deadliest since World War II.

The DRC is the 3rd largest country in Africa, slightly less than one-fourth the size of the United States, with a population of 65 million. Plagued by a history of colonialism and more than 30 years of corrupt rule, the DRC is one of the world’s poorest countries.

Ironically, the DRC is richly endowed with natural resources, from diamonds, gold and timber, to "coltan," a metallic ore used in the production of mobile phones and laptop computers.

However, the DRC’s greatest resource — it's people — continues to struggle in the face of war.

Conflict still plagues congolese people

For five years (1997-2003) a conflict raged between the DRC government, supported by Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe, and rebel groups, backed by Uganda and Rwanda. A 2003 peace deal, brokered by neighboring African states and the broader international community, installed a transitional government that consists of the main warring factions. However, fighting continues intermittently in the eastern part of the country, particluarly in North and South Kivu, where the government is still attempting to exend its control.

Nkoma, mother of four, was displaced by the war. At least 1.6 million people remain displaced.

The last decade of conflict has resulted in some 4 million deaths; an estimated 1,200 people die every day due to ongoing epidemics and war-related causes; some aid agencies estimate upward of 1,400 deaths per day. Most deaths are due to disease and starvation, the result of population displacement and the destruction of roads, hospitals and farms. An estimated 1.6 million people remain displaced and — some 40,000 people flee their homes every month. Rebel groups continue to target civilians as a tool of war. Women are raped and abducted to serve as sex slaves.

The recruitment of child soldiers still occurs frequently; about one-third of those recruited are young girls.

Both Uganda and Rwanda still support different armed groups to fight rebels that are hiding out in eastern DRC, while also exploiting the DRC’s natural resources.

Hailed as an important step toward ending the crisis, the first multiparty presidential elections in more than 40 years were held in 2006. These elections were widely viewed as a success, giving both legitimacy to the ruling government and opening up opportunities for investment and development assistance in the country.
However, elections did not bring an immediate end to localized fighting and suffering in eastern Congo, and there is a real possibility of new violence springing from unresolved regoinal tensions and the continued stuggle between factions for control of natural resources.

Advocating for peace in the DRC

World Vision and other nongovernmental organizations working in the DRC believe that leadership from the United States help can bring peace to this region. These groups actively advocate that the United States:

• Ensure a strong response to humanitarian and transition needs, as well as investing in economic development.
• Improve security by supporting comprehensive peace initiatives to resolve the crisis
• Increase diplomatic engagement in the DRC and neighboring countries to help bring lasting peace and stability

Learn more

• Review the United States Government Accountability Office's (GAO) recently-released report The Democratic Republic of the Congo: Systematic assessment is needed to determine agencies’ progress toward U.S. policy objectives.
• Learn more about the history of the conflict by reading the BBC's country profile for the DRC.

What you can do

• Pray for peace and stability in the DRC.
• Take action. Ask your member of Congress to contact the State Department to encourage them to work to bring peace in eastern Congo.
• Sponsor a Hope Child in the DRC. World Vision in the DRC is participating in our "Hope Child" program to provide additional resources for children and families impacted by HIV and AIDS in this high prevalence region.