Democratic Republic of Congo: Humanitarian Aid is Needed after Clashes Intensified between the Teke and Yaka Communities

12-10-2022

Beatrice Serra

International Justice and Human Rights Researcher

Global Human Rights Defence

Since July, a dispute over customary agricultural land taxes has exacerbated the already violent conflict between the Teke and Yaka communities, causing the displacement of more than 27. 000 individuals, including women and children, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s western locality of Kwamouth. With 142 individuals reported to be killed, civilians are seeking safety and assistance. However, heavy rains are making routes unavailable for the delivering of humanitarian aid, thus putting a riskis thousands of lives. (UN News, 2022; UNHCR, 2022)

While around 2,600 people have found refuge in the Republic of Congo after crossing the Congo River in canoes, others have walked till reaching Bandundu town to find shelter in hosting families. One of the host families “is accommodating 77 people with just one toilet for all. The living conditions are precarious, with host families’ resources quickly running out. Households have begun rationing and some eat only one meal a day,” the UNHCR reported. (UN News, 2022; UNHCR, 2022)

The security situation remains fragile, but the UNHCR is increasing its efforts to address refugees and asylum seekers' needs while calling upon the international community to take necessary steps to ease tensions in Kwamouth for the sake of vulnerable civilians. (UN News, 2022; UNHCR, 2022)

Sources and Further Readings:

United Nations (October 11, 2022), DR Congo sees deadly surge in intercommunal violence, UN News, retrieved on October 12th, 2022, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/10/1129447. 

UNHCR (October 11, 2022), Violence erupts in DR Congo’s west as nearly 30,000 flee clashes, UNHCR, retrieved on October 12th, 2022, from https://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing/2022/10/634521334/violence-erupts-dr-congos-west-nearly-30000-flee-clashes.html.