Refugees International: Publications: DRC Report

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Seizing This Moment of Hope: Towards a Secure Future

Seizing This Moment of Hope

As the situation in the DRC stabilizes, the relationship between the DRC and the international community will inevitably change, with the latter approaching the country with a focus on accelerating Congo’s integration into the global economy on more transparent terms. While this is an essential project, the danger is that donors and international agencies will shift their attention too quickly from acute humanitarian needs. The transition in the DRC will be a diffi cult balancing act, but long-term stability depends on continuing to reduce violence and meeting the basic needs of communities as the violence subsides.

The humanitarian situation in the DRC has slowly but surely improved over the past few years: a higher percentage of those in need are getting help, the response to crises is more prompt, and the quality of the response is higher. Security is far better: the amount of territory controlled by armed groups has decreased greatly, civilians are under less threat of attack and abuse, and the displaced are starting to return home or resettle permanently.

The elections provide a particular psychological milestone, and it is important to keep in mind that conditions will not change overnight as a result of the vote and the installation of a new government. Pockets of extreme insecurity remain in the east, humanitarian crises will continue to occur, and the underlying chronic problems exacerbated by the conflict will remain.

The international community, however, seems eager to move on. Regarding Africa, Darfur commands more attention among media and policymakers (at least in the U.S.) and Africa itself does not garner much attention. So some prefer to focus on other crises, and all would like to move as quickly as possible to longer-term development assistance, which is less expensive, easierto manage, and more predictable. Largescale development programs are also more attractive to unscrupulous government officials, as the assistance is funneled through government agencies and provides greater opportunities for self-enrichment.

A premature shift of focus away from humanitarian concerns in the DRC is not warranted and will not be the best for the millions of people still heavily affected by the violence, displacement, and death that has occurred, and is still occurring, in the DRC. For the Congolese government, the United States and other leading international actors, regional actors, donor agencies and appropriators, the United Nations, NGOs, and the media, now is not the time to withdraw, to slow down, to lose focus. Now is the time to redouble efforts to stop the killing and displacement of civilians, meet the basic needs of those affected by the conflict, and help people get home and rebuild.

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