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Current Requirements (US$)$668.3 million
Analysis of context, crisis and needs
The emergency in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the most complex humanitarian crises in the world. Decades of clashes between armed groups and widespread violations of human rights have caused unprecedented levels of need and forced millions to flee their homes. The critical situation in the country has only worsened since the start of 2023: insecurity in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri has reached new heights, with the exponential rise in incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) being particularly concerning. Traditionally safe areas, such as Mai-Ndombé, have also seen increasing violence in the past few years. As a result of this unrelenting instability, by the end of October 2023, nearly 5.8 million people were displaced within the DRC and over 869,000 had crossed the borders into Angola, Burundi, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Zambia in search of safety – 50,000 of whom fled in the first nine months of the year alone. Tensions emerging from the withdrawal of MONUSCO and the presidential elections in December are likely to lead to further displacement.
The prolonged nature of this crisis places a tremendous strain on countries that have generously opened their borders to refugees from the DRC. Organizations have redoubled their efforts to provide protection, assistance, and solutions to those in need; however, the response has been challenging.
Nkamira Transit Site, Rwanda
Refugee women and children fleeing fighting in Eastern DRC sit outside their tents.
UNHCR/Lilly CarlisleThe reduction of the asylum space observed in some host countries has resulted in unregistered populations and asylum-seekers being left in legal limbo, with no prospect of receiving refugee status and unable to access life-saving support. Often, these populations are also unable to secure the exit permits needed for their departure to third countries through resettlement, family reunification programmes and complementary pathways. In addition, multiple countries continue to promote encampment policies, limiting refugees to settlements that are overcrowded, in areas where basic services are stretched to their limits; this creates risks for refugee well-being, in no small part because the health conditions in host countries are fragile and outbreaks of measles, cholera and malaria place further strain on already-limited health services. Food insecurity and poor nutritional status, inaccessibility of agricultural areas, rising prices, funding shortages, and prolonged drought and tropical storms and cyclones are growing concerns among families. At the same time, lack of access to sustainable employment and livelihood opportunities, restrictions on refugees' freedom of movement and on their right to work, own land and property, and access education and justice remain major challenges. Under these constraints, refugees are increasingly vulnerable to human rights violations, exploitation, and abuse, and more frequently resort to harmful coping strategies to meet their basic needs.
Despite these difficulties, refugees from the DRC are expected to continue benefiting from international protection in 2024, and host governments are anticipated to make new commitments to refugee protection and assistance at the December 2023 Global Refugee Forum.
Congo
A family from the DRC, who fled inter-communal conflict, outside a house lent to them by nationals.
UNHCR/Cyprien ChevalStrategic objectives and response priorities 2024
The DRC Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) is shifting to a two-year focus to better strategize and articulate the needs and priorities and allow for longer-term vision in ensuring solutions and resilience of the communities. The 2024-2025 plan will continue to bring together a wide range of stakeholders to provide protection, assistance, and durable solutions to 1.9 million refugees from the DRC and their host communities in Angola, Burundi, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Zambia. In the spirit of the Global Compact on Refugees and in accordance with the Refugee Coordination Model, governments steer the response, while RRP Partners, led by UNHCR, will support and complement national and regional strategies, working closely with donors, development actors, the private sector, local partners and civil society.
Kigeme Refugee Camp, Rwanda
Tumayine, is a Congolese refugee and farmer living in a refugee camp.
Following a marshland development project, Tumayine says he is now able to better support his family and has invested in a sewing machine with the profits from his farm, enabling him to further diversify his income sources.
The 2024-2025 RRP is anchored by the following strategic objectives:
- Enhancing the protection environment: RRP Partners will promote policies and legislation that safeguard unhindered access to asylum and international protection, enable refugees' full enjoyment of rights and promote a conducive environment for local solutions. Partners will give emphasis to considerations around age, gender, and diversity, accountability to affected people, and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse in their programming. GBV and child protection, prevention and response will be strengthened, and risk mitigation will be mainstreamed across sectors.
- Contributing to dignified lives and access to basic services: RRP Partners will help mitigate challenges such as access to food, education, WASH and health services, housing, and employment opportunities through multi-sector assistance. The delivery of basic needs services to vulnerable refugee and host communities will be prioritized to ensure they receive the support they need to live in dignity, to meet their basic needs, and to strengthen their capacity and resilience to deal with future shocks.
- Promoting access to and inclusion into national systems: RRP Partners will continue to work with Governments and other partners towards supporting increased access of refugees into national systems, including health, education, employment, social services and (sub-)national development plans, in support of the pledges made by host countries at the Global Refugee Forum. RRP Partners will therefore continue to strengthen public institutions across the region, helping to restore their capacity to deal with the impact of the crisis.
- Promoting self-reliance and pursuing durable solutions: RRP Partners will prioritize the promotion of livelihoods opportunities and economic inclusion of refugees and vulnerable host community members, to increase self-reliance and foster social cohesion and peaceful coexistence. Resettlement and complementary pathways will remain critical options for vulnerable refugees without perspectives of local solutions. Meanwhile, refugees who decide to voluntarily return will continue to be supported.
The RRP brings together 95 partners, who will need US$629.8 million to implement activities to support 1.9 million refugees and host community members in the seven countries in 2024. The RRP will emphasize the importance of partnering with local respondents and using and reinforcing national and local systems in addressing the increasing needs while supporting resilience and sustainable approaches in host countries.
Democratic Republic of the Congo Regional
Unlocking potential: ILO's apprenticeship programme in Uganda - Story of Fatuma #2
Fatuma Barafumwa, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, shares her apprenticeship journey in Hotel Management training, supported by ILO.
References
- 24 UN entities urged immediate action to protect women and girls on 14 July 2023.