The situation
Years of conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises:
- An estimated 5.4 million killed as a consequence of the war since 1998, most from preventable diseases
- Almost half a million Congolese refugees have fled to neighbouring countries, and over two million children have been made homeless in their own countryA critical lack of health care and education
- Malnutrition is widespread
- People have lost virtually everything – family, friends, homes and their means of making a living
Oxfam is providing water, sanitation and life-saving hygiene promotion to dispersed groups of people on the move, as well as larger groups of people sheltering in specific areas. Throughout eastern DRC, Oxfam is already assisting half a million people. Teams have been sent to Lubero in North Kivu and Bukavu in South Kivu to plan the scale-up and reach an additional 250,000 people in need of clean water and basic sanitation.
Oxfam’s response
Oxfam is providing providing clean water, sanitation facilities and promoting life-saving hygiene practices to help prevent diseases such as malaria and cholera. Throughout eastern DRC, Oxfam is already assisting half a million people and helping dispersed groups of people on the move, as well as larger groups of people sheltering in specific areas. Over 1.7 million people are still displaced and are today living in precarious conditions created by continuing insecurity and armed conflict.
How your donation can help
- £10/€11.50 can buy 6 buckets to help families get access to water.
- £15/€17 can buy a hygiene kit for a displaced family
- £20/ €22.50 can buy three tarpaulins or plastic sheets to provide basic emergency shelter
- £100/€114 can provide temporary shelter for two families
How can the public donate?
Donate online
Donate to your local Oxfam Ireland shop
Call us: 1850 30 40 55 (in ROI) or 0800 0 30 40 55 (in NI)
