'We walked for days to safety' - how we are supporting people displaced by conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo

This is a chilling scenario that many of us can’t imagine, but this is reality for millions of people who have been displaced by conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Conflict in DRC has been raging for decades but the crisis rarely reaches the headlines. It is the third largest displacement crisis in the world – with 6.9 million forced to flee their homes. The UN also estimates that one in five of the population will require humanitarian assistance this year.  

So, what are the issues that impact people when they are forced to flee their homes?  

In January this year, over 100,000 people in eastern DRC had to flee to safety over just a three-day period. This led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis – including a spike in needs for food and essential items, there were cholera outbreaks across several locations and alarming levels of protection needs among vulnerable people. 

It also placed additional strain on the already limited resources of the host communities that sheltered the displaced population. 

With funding from the European Union, Concern and our partners Première Urgence Internationale and War Child have implemented an integrated approach under this programme that includes healthcare, nutritional support and protection to address the needs of displaced, returning, and host families. 

We met Rafiki Dukuze and his wife Ancila Niyonzima at one of the advanced healthcare clinics that was established under this programme, alongside their youngest son, Israel, who has been treated for acute malnutrition.  

Rafiki tells us that four years ago they had to leave the area where they are from with their four children when conflict escalated. 

Rafiki had worked as a farmer in the village where they lived, and the family led a relatively stable life up until that point. Although they were able to find refuge in a safer area, the family faced new challenges. Rafiki struggled to find steady work, he took on any odd jobs that were available, but he struggled to make ends meet. 

He explained: “Sometimes, our children went to bed without eating. We had food with no nutritional value. 

Under this project, community volunteers – known as relays - are trained to carry out awareness-raising sessions, screen for acute malnutrition, and refer children to health facilities. 

This is how a relay, while visiting the area, detected signs of acute malnutrition in Israel. He was immediately referred to the health centre for treatment. 

“The community volunteers directed me to the health centre. My child is receiving care there, along with Plumpy’Nut. He is slowly regaining his appetite. The doctors reassured me that his health is improving. That brings me great relief,” Ancila recalls. 

Mother-of-six Mutesi Mururugwerwa is back in her home village after spending several months with her young children in a camp for displaced people in the DRC.   

She recalls of the night she had to leave home: “Fighting broke out in our village. We were terrified. As a widow, I fled on foot with my children. We walked for two days, sleeping in fields at night, until we found refuge at a site for displaced people.” 

Like many households affected by armed conflict in the region, Mutesi and her family endured extremely harsh living conditions, marked by fear, poor sanitation, and a lack of basic infrastructure. 

As part of our response to this crisis, Concern and our partners built 150 secure family latrines, installed 75 shower facilities, set up five rubbish pits and rehabilitated two water supply systems were rehabilitated. Constructing basic hygiene infrastructure aims to reduce health risks, uphold dignity, and improve living conditions for communities affected by the crises in eastern DRC. 

Mutesi was selected under this initiative and latrines and a shower were installed at her home. 

“Before, I was afraid my children would fall into the pit when I wasn’t around, and the shower I used didn’t make me feel safe. Now, my children can use the toilet without risk, and I can bathe in peace,” she explains.