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Humanitarian Crisis
Humanitarian crisis entails events supporting or exacerbating human suffering, damage
to the environment, and displacements and relates to the wellbeing and safety of a large
number of individuals. Some of the aspects contributing to the crises include disease
outbreaks, mental health issues, malnutrition, and limited access to necessities such as clean
water and sanitation. Healthcare professionals and non-profits, or for-profit aid organizations,
both locally and internationally, are crucial to address these issues to ensure health and
wellness in the population. Some of the elements affecting the effectiveness of humanitarian
engagement include: lack of accountability to the affected population and the stakeholders,
and lack of engagement with the community. This essay comprehensively analyzes the
factors mentioned above, with special focus on specific humanitarian crises, challenges,
responses, and the role of professionals. It will also highlight the recommendations to address
the root cause, and ensure sustainability through local capacity enhancing.
Humanitarian Crisis Background
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the countries facing increased,
protracted, and intricate humanitarian crises whereby millions are constantly displaced from
their communities, and face grave issues such as poor drainage and sanitation. Some of the
humanitarian aid organizations, such as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) and World Health Organization, are showing increasing concerns over the
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escalating and sustained humanitarian crisis in Congo. Compounded with the pre-existing
condition that has presented over decades, the Congo has recently faced significant
displacement due to wars. These individuals have faced issues such as inadequate shelters,
limited employment, and increasingly poor sanitation. Some of the most affected regions
include North and South Kivu and Iturbi (UNHCR, n.d.). These regions require significant
interventions to ensure appropriate actions for wellbeing and health of the involved
community.
Public Health Issues
The Congo is faced with significant public health crises, including infectious disease
outbreaks. Cholera, Ebola, and tuberculosis are among the most common epidemics in the
country, and affect a large population; hence, they are a burden on the vulnerable
communities. These endemic diseases are exacerbated by increasing lack of sanitation, lack
of access to clean water and hygienic practices, and congestion in the refugee stations.
Malnutrition is highly prevalent in the region and affects primarily the most
vulnerable populations, including children under the age of 5, pregnant women, people living
with disabilities, and older adults. The country struggles with high levels of food insecurity,
with over three million citizens having acute malnutrition. The majority of Congo citizens
have limited access to clean water (UNHCR, n.d.). According to reports by the World Bank,
nearly 65% of the individuals in the country do not have access to water, and 84% lack
sanitation access (World Bank Group, 2023). Mental health issues in Congo are significantly
overlooked, despite being highly prevalent. These communities have endured high violence
rates, loss of livelihoods, displacements, lack of employment opportunities, and high
mortality rates, which contributed to poor mental health outcomes.
Aid Response
Humanitarian Crisis
Humanitarian crisis entails events supporting or exacerbating human suffering, damage
to the environment, and displacements and relates to the wellbeing and safety of a large
number of individuals. Some of the aspects contributing to the crises include disease
outbreaks, mental health issues, malnutrition, and limited access to necessities such as clean
water and sanitation. Healthcare professionals and non-profits, or for-profit aid organizations,
both locally and internationally, are crucial to address these issues to ensure health and
wellness in the population. Some of the elements affecting the effectiveness of humanitarian
engagement include: lack of accountability to the affected population and the stakeholders,
and lack of engagement with the community. This essay comprehensively analyzes the
factors mentioned above, with special focus on specific humanitarian crises, challenges,
responses, and the role of professionals. It will also highlight the recommendations to address
the root cause, and ensure sustainability through local capacity enhancing.
Humanitarian Crisis Background
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the countries facing increased,
protracted, and intricate humanitarian crises whereby millions are constantly displaced from
their communities, and face grave issues such as poor drainage and sanitation. Some of the
humanitarian aid organizations, such as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) and World Health Organization, are showing increasing concerns over the
, 2
escalating and sustained humanitarian crisis in Congo. Compounded with the pre-existing
condition that has presented over decades, the Congo has recently faced significant
displacement due to wars. These individuals have faced issues such as inadequate shelters,
limited employment, and increasingly poor sanitation. Some of the most affected regions
include North and South Kivu and Iturbi (UNHCR, n.d.). These regions require significant
interventions to ensure appropriate actions for wellbeing and health of the involved
community.
Public Health Issues
The Congo is faced with significant public health crises, including infectious disease
outbreaks. Cholera, Ebola, and tuberculosis are among the most common epidemics in the
country, and affect a large population; hence, they are a burden on the vulnerable
communities. These endemic diseases are exacerbated by increasing lack of sanitation, lack
of access to clean water and hygienic practices, and congestion in the refugee stations.
Malnutrition is highly prevalent in the region and affects primarily the most
vulnerable populations, including children under the age of 5, pregnant women, people living
with disabilities, and older adults. The country struggles with high levels of food insecurity,
with over three million citizens having acute malnutrition. The majority of Congo citizens
have limited access to clean water (UNHCR, n.d.). According to reports by the World Bank,
nearly 65% of the individuals in the country do not have access to water, and 84% lack
sanitation access (World Bank Group, 2023). Mental health issues in Congo are significantly
overlooked, despite being highly prevalent. These communities have endured high violence
rates, loss of livelihoods, displacements, lack of employment opportunities, and high
mortality rates, which contributed to poor mental health outcomes.
Aid Response
