In areas affected by the fighting food stocks are low and market prices are high, preventing families from feeding themselves. Large numbers of people have fled into the forest to escape the fighting, and are struggling to survive. Water- borne diseases are on the rise due to contaminated water sources.
Hygienic supplies are almost non-existent.
Recently, the UN Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator confirmed that there are just under 200,000 refugees in the DRC and possibly as many as 500,000 displaced persons. In response to the growing concern expressed by ACT members in the DRC and beyond, a three-day ACT Emergency Consultation was held in Kinshasa in late November and early December. With the ECC serving as the recognized ecumenical body in the DRC, the goal of the current ACT response is targeting humanitarian relief to more than 8,000 families and more than 9,000 children, including provision of basic medicines, medical supplies and medical services, supplemental food supplies, temporary shelter, seeds and tools and hygiene supplies. The timeline for this six-month appeal is through July 30. NCA proposes to assist 10,000 vulnerable displaced persons through the provision of food and non-food items, shelter materials, water, medicines, feeding centers, and agricultural seeds and tools.