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Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Country Statistics

Latest IDP figure:

1,36 million
... Click here for more

Number of refugees:
(Originating from the country)

370,374 (UNHCR, June 2008)

Total Population:

57,54 million

29 November 2007

Worsening humanitarian crisis as internal displacement escalates in the east

IDP camp close to Goma
Nicolas Postal, 2007

Following major new displacement in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a total of at least 1.4 million people remained internally displaced in the DRC as of November 2007. Fighting between Congolese armed forces and dissident troops and militias, as well as widespread human rights violations committed by all groups, caused the displacement of at least 500,000 people in eastern DRC in 2007, particularly in North Kivu province. IDPs in North Kivu have been victims of grave human rights abuses committed by all the factions engaged in fighting and by other civilians. In addition, many of them could not receive assistance from international agencies whose access has been blocked by the level of insecurity.

Since the mid-1990s, millions of Congolese have fled their homes to escape fighting between rebel groups and the national government in a complex conflict which has also involved neighbouring states. Close to four million people are estimated to have died as a result of the conflict, and the accompanying pervasive human rights violations have included the killing of civilians, widespread sexual violence against women and child recruitment.

Read full Overview (html / pdf)
Press release: Urgent need to protect displaced civilians in North Kivu, DR Congo, following surge in fighting (6 September 2007)
Picture gallery: Displacement in North Kivu Province

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