Last night’s BBC News at 10, this morning’s Radio Four Today Programme and BBC News Online are reporting on the escalating violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The pieces explain the need for political reform to address some of the root causes of the crisis, which has left millions of people without reliable access to food.
As the BBC reports, DFID continues to be one of the leading humanitarian donors to the DRC, and is providing lifesaving food, water and healthcare to over a million people in need across the country.
The UK is also encouraging all actors involved in the conflict to work together to find an end to the violence and for credible, inclusive and peaceful elections to be held as soon as possible.
The International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt said:
“The humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo is escalating at a horrifying pace, and millions of desperate people have been forced to flee their homes.
“I am seriously concerned by the decision of the Government of the DRC not to join next month’s UN donor conference in Geneva – this is a crucial opportunity for them to work together with the international community to make sure lifesaving aid continues to reach the growing number of their people in dire need.
“We need to urgently tackle the root causes of this crisis. It is essential the DRC authorities create the environment necessary for credible, fair and transparent elections planned to take place on 23 December this year.”