Refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo - Term Paper Example

MEMORANDUM Company President Public Relations Officer May 25, Refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo Introduction At present, the issue of refugees has been a matter of grave concern to many countries and international bodies across the globe particularly in Africa. Most refugees are as a result of civil conflicts which have led to displacement of people from their homes. This has been rampant in third world countries like Southern Sudan, Rwanda, Liberia, Uganda and the DRC Congo among others.

Refugees undergo much suffering simply because of the fact that they have been denied their livelihood by not being at their homes/countries. They in fact suffer a lot of human rights violations. UN is leading other global humanitarian institutions in addressing their problems. The purpose of this memo is to shed light on the situation of refugees in DRC Congo. The genesis of the DRC Congo Refugees Refugees in DRC Congo can be attributed to economic and political instability as a result of various civil wars originating from ethnic conflicts and political unrest over three decades.

In 1997, DRC Congo was plunged into armed conflicts which saw the former Marxist president Denis Sassou-Nguesso back to power. During this period many people were killed and raped and thousands were displaced from their homes/country. The peace accord of March 2003 ended the civil war, but the country’s peace continued to be shaky especially in eastern Congo. Over the last two years, tribal clashes and conflicts due to fishing and farming rights in the region have forced many people to leave their homes and seek asylum in Lokoula province.

As a result of armed conflict in Mbadaka mid last year, many refugees were forced to migrate to Congo. The current situation Presently, Congo has approximately 2 million internally displaced people and more than 450,000 refugees in other countries. The refuges are living in pathetic conditions plagued by diseases and hunger due to poor living amenities. Majority of refugees are living in overcrowded camps in Goma, Kabati and the Equateur regions. Many others are dying as a result of cholera and malaria as well as hunger.

The camps are severally attacked by armed militia groups who kill and rape women. The conditions of refugees in these camps continue to worsen everyday. Actions being taken to help Congolese refugees The government and UNHCR are providing humanitarian assistance to refugees in all camps across the country. UNHCR is aiming to increase its capacity to accomplish refugee status determination (RSD) and search for long-lasting solutions via local integration. UNHCR is also looking forward to repatriate Angola refugees and assist Rwandan refugees to go back to their home/country.

UNHCR is determined to continue with its cooperation with WFP, FAO, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO and MONUSCO in resolving problems they are facing. The government with the help of the UN Security Council and other international bodies is looking for lasting solutions to solve the problems of economic and political instabilities in the region. Sign-----------------------------