Aid workers revealed the extent of the humanitarian crisis in the Congo today as an urgent appeal was launched for more funding.
Leading UK aid agencies have joined together to urge people to donate cash to help ease the plight of those affected by the recent upsurge of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
More than 250,000 people have been forced to flee their hom
es to escape the fighting in recent weeks, adding to more than a million already displaced as a result of the conflict. Aid workers on the ground are reporting rising incidents of malnutrition, rape and abduction.
Launching the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Congo (DR) Crisis Appeal, chief executive Brendan Gormley said that while aid was getting through to those affected a massive scale-up was required.
Mr Gormley said: "The start of the rainy season has meant people living in already desperate conditions are becoming ever more vulnerable.
"Our member agencies are already reaching several hundred thousand people, but the need is overwhelming and increasing. We have got to do more and now, more than ever, we need the UK public to show their generosity."
Agencies that make up the DEC are already delivering food, water, shelter and emergency medical supplies to those affected, but the committee said the scale of the crisis meant much more was needed.
Charles Badenoch, chief executive of DEC member agency World Vision, said: "Children are being separated and orphaned by this intense conflict.
"Thousands of people are vulnerable to rape, malnutrition, abduction and disease. We urgently need your help... "
According to the DEC, aid workers are reporting many people displaced for the second, third or fourth time by conflict.
They say thousands of children are in spontaneous settlement camps, where they are at increased risk of physically and mental abuse. World Vision estimates there are about 5,500 former child soldiers in the camps, who are vulnerable to being re-recruited by warring militias.
High levels of rape, because of poor security to protect girls and women in the camps, are also being reported by aid workers.
In Kanyabayonga Oxfam has reported a 10-fold increase in rapes reported at hospitals and clinics between May and the beginning of November. Child malnourishment is also rising
Donations can be made at www.dec.org.uk or by calling the DEC on 0370 60 60 90 or at any high street bank or post office.
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