The Mercy Corps DRC country manager gave us a briefing on the state of the DRC. Here are some notes from that presentation.
42 million people live on $1/day (over 70% of population).
50% of the DRC is under the age of 18.
The DRC is consistently racked high on the Failed States Index.
There is an extremist militant movement. Young boys have little opportunity and either join, or are coerced into, military efforts.
The DRC is in the Top 10 of countries with HIV infection prevalence.
The DRC was a model colony and a mecca for gold, diamonds, rubber, etc. However, under King Leopold's extremely brutal dictatorship, the DRC was exploited during 1894-1906, prompting the 1st Human Rights Campaign.
Years of conflict and corruption have resulted in a lack of foreign investment and education of the people of DRC. In 1994, people poured into the DRC borders from the Rwandan Genocide, multiplying the issues.
As if the state of affairs was not difficult enough, in 2002 a major volcanoe erupted, spilling lava into the streets of Goma.
Today, the DRC faces these issues:
- Highly unstable security
- Weak governance and widespread corruption
- Presence of multiple armed rebel groups
- Weak and predatory national army
- High and conflicting foreign influence
- The United Nations (MONUC) has limited capacity (even though they have the highest deployment in the DRC) and basically makes little effort to protect the people
- Lack of political will
- On-going military operations
- Unregulated mining
- Extremely high crime, especially rape and murder
- Lack of basic infrastructure (2% of roads are paved)
- Humanitarian aid is exhausted from being there for so long with needs so great
Mercy Corps tries to address development needs of the DRC, rather than simply responding to the crisis. However, when donors are asked for money, they usually want the funds to go toward food/shelter/health care since those are the most immediate needs. If funds are not directed toward any developement, this perpetuates little opportunity for the next generation.
Children have a very difficult life in the DRC:
- 63% have witnessed killings
- 26% have witnessed sexual violence
- 23% have experienced sexual violence
Mercy Corps has three goals in the DRC:
1. Save lives
2. Build assets
3. Provide opportunities
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