UN’s New Solution for Congo Not Without Risk
By Caelin Briggs Thu, 03/28/2013 - 16:08A few minutes ago, the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved the creation of an “intervention brigade” within the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO).
The resolution passed despite a good deal of skepticism on the part of many Council members, and it’s unclear whether the Council is prepared for the potential humanitarian fallout.
Let's Roll Up Our Sleeves and Work for Women's Rights
By Marcy Hersh Fri, 03/08/2013 - 13:47If you live in a Western country, you might find it a bit strange – even anachronistic – to devote an entire day to honoring women. Many of my friends here in Washington, DC, feel that all the major battles facing women have already been won.
Congo’s Elderly Act As Caregivers – But Who Will Care for Them?
By Caelin Briggs Thu, 02/21/2013 - 16:49Life in a displaced persons camp is not easy. Even for the strongest of the strong, surviving in an insecure and inhospitable camp is both physically and emotionally grueling. But for the elderly, disabled, or ill, the demands of camp life can seem insurmountable.
These individuals – especially those without family members to support them – are often the most vulnerable, and their needs are often overlooked.
In Congo, Women Face Impossible Choice: Risk Rape, or Go Hungry
By Marcy Hersh Fri, 02/01/2013 - 15:47
This post originally appeared at UN Dispatch.
What is something that you do no less than ten times every day? Check email? Send a text message? No less than ten times a day, Colette* listens to the story of a woman who has just been raped.
What is something that you do no less than ten times every day? Check email? Send a text message? No less than ten times a day, Colette* listens to the story of a woman who has just been raped.
DRC: Picking Up the Pieces After M23's Withdrawal
By Caelin Briggs Fri, 01/18/2013 - 17:04This week, an RI team will depart for North Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than 500,000 people have been displaced by fighting since April. The mission comes shortly after the fall of the provincial capital of Goma, and with 130,000 people now displaced in Goma and its environs, there could not be a more important time to visit the region.
Peacekeeping in the DRC – Time for a Reality Check
By Caelin Briggs Thu, 12/20/2012 - 16:11The recent surge of violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, culminating in the fall of the provincial capital of Goma to members of the M23 rebel group, is first and foremost a human tragedy. Though M23 has now withdrawn from the city and agreed to peace talks, 130,000 people remain displaced, with many forced to flee from camp to camp in search of safety.
Fall of Goma Shows MONUSCO's Failings
By Caelin Briggs Tue, 11/20/2012 - 15:09At 4:00am on Saturday, the rebel group known as M23 attacked the town of Kibumba in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. Equipped with new night vision goggles and 120mm mortars, the rebels quickly overwhelmed the Congolese army (FARDC) and United Nations peacekeeping forces defending the town, which sits just outside the provincial capital of Goma.
Rwanda: Returning Refugees Need More Than Comforting Words
By Limnyuy Konglim Mon, 05/18/2009 - 16:28
During the 1994 mass migration of Rwandan refugees into the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, what many people didn’t realize was that there was also an influx of Rwandan refugees into Uganda. This week, fifteen years after the earth shattering Rwandan genocide, 20,000 refugees are finally returning home. Even though this is an important step towards the full restoration of a severely fractured society, one cannot help but wonder why has it taken so long?
Refugees International (RI) advocates for lifesaving assistance and protection for displaced people and promotes solutions to displacement crises.
We are an independent organization, and do not accept any government or UN funding.
We are an independent organization, and do not accept any government or UN funding.