The head of the United Nations World Food Programme operations in DRC said, “Without immediate donor support, many – particularly women and children – will die”.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo was a poor but peaceful region. Unfortunately, violence in the Greater Kasai region has forced nearly 1.4 million people from their homes. This strife has resulted in an acute hunger emergency. The region already had high malnutrition rates, the current turmoil has caused those numbers to sky-rocket. Currently, 3.2 million people are urgently in need of food.
The situation is quickly becoming a long-term disaster. The lull in fighting has allowed humanitarian aid organizations to step in but money is running out and the situation is dire.
“…money is quickly running and WFP plans to feed almost half a million people in December seem impossible as its resources are so depleted that only half-rations can be distributed.” – UN
Hunger causes more than malnutrition, the situation forces people into prostitution and increases the risk of sexual violence according to Jibidar, the head of the UN World Food Programme (WFP) operations in the DRC.
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Portable solutions can be vital in regions of violence. On December 10th 2017, UN Operations Crisis Centre shared that 14 Tanzanian peacekeepers were killed and 44 were injured in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“These brave women and men are putting their lives on the line every day across the world to serve peace and to protect civilians.” Secretary-General António Guterres
Should people and volunteers need to be moved, humanitarian organizations can have Aldelano Solar Cold Chain Solutions moved as well. Our portable products require little to no maintenance and offer “ready to go” set up. Clean water and cold storage for food or medicine during a crisis can create mobile humanitarian aid centers.
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Citations:
“DR Congo: Hunger Crisis, Scarce Funds Could Push Kasais to Brink of Catastrophe, UN Agency Warns.” UN News Center, United Nations, 7 Dec. 2017, www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=58240#.Wi_3ybbMzUY.
“DR Congo: Over a Dozen UN Peacekeepers Killed in Worst Attack on ‘Blue Helmets’ in Recent History.” UN News Center, United Nations, 10 Dec. 2017, www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=58250#.WjBP87bMzUY.
“Kasai, DRC: Millions at Risk as Funding Dries Up.” Kasai, DRC: Millions at Risk as Funding Dries up | WFP | United Nations World Food Programme – Fighting Hunger Worldwide, World Food Programme , 7 Dec. 2017, www.wfp.org/news/news-release/kasai-drc-millions-risk-funding-dries.