Briefing by Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), on the situation concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

..."Mr. President, distinguished members of the Council,

We are witnessing in the DRC one of the most severe, complex and neglected
humanitarian crises of our times. The escalating violence in the East continues to trigger
massive population displacements, exacerbating an already dreadful humanitarian situation.
Overall, the DRC today counts 7.3 million displaced people, including 6.9 million in the Eastern
provinces alone. International Humanitarian Law violations are impeding humanitarian aid
delivery. The growing proximity of the frontlines and the presence of weapons (including heavy
artillery) within and around displacement camps and spontaneous sites significantly
compromise the security of the displaced and resident populations. At least 15 bombardments
have hit IDPs sites or their immediate surroundings, killing almost 30 people and injuring many
more.

What is sadly more is that gender-based violence (GBV) does not stop to increase. For
the whole year of 2023, 122,960 cases of GBV were reported, marking a 3 per cent increase from 2022. Female victims, including girls, accounted for almost 90 per cent of all cases, with
incidents of sexual violence against children increasing by 40 per cent. This is solely the tip of
the iceberg, as many cases remain unreported. Based on current trends, 2024 risks becoming
another record year.

The 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan (launched on 20 February 2024) seeks for US $2.6
billion to provide humanitarian assistance to 8.7 million crisis affected people. As of mid-June,
the Plan remained only funded at 26 per cent. I thank member states for their support and
encourage them to provide additional support.

In addition, I also call upon member states and regional organizations to increase their
efforts to reduce humanitarian suffering by strengthening their engagement towards political
and regional solutions and by recommitting to tackle the root causes of conflicts, driving the
dramatic upsurge in humanitarian needs. I welcome the two-week humanitarian truce in
Eastern DRC, which began at midnight on 5 July. I urge the parties to use this, as an opportunity
to inject fresh momentum into ongoing regional peace efforts"...

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