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Transcript of Amethyst A. Roth Group 2 INR 3253 - DW59 July 3, 2010 Photo taken by Andrew Roth at Mugunga 3...
Amethyst A. Roth
Group 2
INR 3253 - DW59
July 3, 2010
Refugee Crisis in the DRC
Photo taken by Andrew Roth at Mugunga 3 internally displaced people camp just 10 kilometers outside of Goma, DRC. There were over 45,000 refugees at the time.
There are many refugees/internally displaced people (IDPs) in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a result of war between several militia groups and the Congolese National Forces (FRDC). This widespread instability has caused this influx of IDPs desperate for basic living necessities like water, food and shelter. As a result, many international aid organizations working in conjunction with the Congolese government have stepped in to assist these IDPs. All of these factors have created a crisis within the state and international community which requires resources (finances and manpower). The purpose of this photo essay is to illustrate the problem, analyze its effect on the country and neighboring regions and present possible solutions to the crisis. The crisis in DRC has many variables, offering complexities that are difficult to understand at a glance.
Introduction . . .
History - Past IssuesThe Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC) has been victim of war and greed since the late
1800’s when Belgium under King Leopold II laid
claim to the geographical area of present day DRC.
Belgian Colonials brutally treated the Congolese. It is
estimated that around 10 million Congolese died as
result of exploitation and disease. In King Leopold’s
Ghost it was said that a government commission found
the population to be cut in half between 1880 and
1920. (Hochschild 1998, 233)
BBC World News provided these photos when reporting about the legacy of King Leopold II, who arguably left the most horrifying legacy throughout Africa. Bottom is a picture of men of the “Congo Free State” walking to their death, a punishment incurred for not collecting enough rubber.
History – Past Issues
This foundation of bloodshed and greed
has carried over throughout the history of the
Congo as it became part of the culture. History
and culture are very much integrated. As it has
been said time and again, history has a way of
repeating itself. This is especially the case with
the DRC. One can see the history with leaders
such as Belgian colonial rulers, Moise
Tshombe, Joseph Mobutu, Laurent Kabila and
Joseph Kabila.
This photo was taken by an AP reporter and submitted to the Telegraph in an article about the rebels trying to take the North Kivu capital city, Goma.
Left photo taken by Walter Astrada of GETTY. Congolese soldiers pass by their former base that was overrun by CNDP rebels at Rumangabo, DRC in November 2008.
History – Militia GroupsAs war and violence have been a part of
the culture of the DRC many militia groups have arose
to take power or challenge it. After years of oppression
and mounting civil unrest in 1997 Laurent Kabila
formed a rebel army and marched across the country
from the east to the west taking every village on his
way. They were aided by Tutsis from Uganda who
entered into the Congo looking for extremist Hutus
lingering from the Rwandan Genocide. After taking
power, Kabila faced rebel attacks from his former
counterparts Rwanda and Uganda who aided in ousting
Mobutu. Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola came to the
help of Kabila. (Mealer 2008, 6-7) Child soldiers lining up in eastern DRC. Photo taken by GETTY and submitted to Telegraph.
Left and Top photos are attributed to AP and Welton Online News. Both are pictures of the CNDP militia groups lead by Laurent Nkunda in November 2008.
History – Militia Groups and Effects
As war and instability have displaced
millions of Congolese people, they have moved to
internally displaced people (IDP) camps throughout
the country. Massive war began in 1998 with many
armed militia groups operating in the DR Congo.
Since the war ended in 2002, there has still been a
high prevalence of armed militia groups operating in
the DRC. (Coghlan et al. 2007, 6 and 18)
To keep peace, over 20,000 UN
peacekeepers have been dispatched. The Congolese
Army (FRDC) has failed to protect their civilians
from rebel militias and have been guilty of brutal
human rights violations against their own people.
Many militia groups such as the CNDP, FDLR, Mai
Mai, Interhamwe and LRA still operate in the DRC.
(IDMC 2009, 11)
This photo of a rebel aiming a RPG was taken by an Associated Press (AP) reporter.
History – IDPs in DR Congo
Photo taken by AP reporters when thousands of internally displaced people flee their North Kivu villages. They walk down the main road toward Goma holding everything they possess.
Often, rebel groups raid and pillage
villages, kill the innocent, conduct mass rapes and
recruit child soldiers. Since 1998 over 5.4 million
deaths occurred as a result of war, disease and
starvation. An estimated 3.4 million people have been
forced to leave their homes. (IDMC 2009, 8 and 61) In
North-Kivu province alone, over 400,000 people have
been displaced as a result of instability since December
2006. (Coghlan et al. 2007, 4 and 6)
IDPs are those who take flight inside their
own country, not leaving the confines of their national
borders. The welfare of these people have gained much
international attention as the governments legally
accountable for their care and protection are often
unable and sometimes unwilling to cope with the IDP
situation. (Norwegian Refugee Council 2002, 3)
AFP photo taken on the right of a man and his children as they flee their village to Goma.
Current Issues – Government The protection of IDPs in eastern DRC is of great concern. Members of the FRDC as well as militias
have been found guilty of brutal killing, rape, sexual exploitation, looting, plundering, illegal taxation and other
human rights violations. As some IDP camps are in remote areas, these camps are more vulnerable to attack. Also,
children are more vulnerable to be recruited as child soldiers. (IDMC 2010, 4-5)
The government has fallen well short of
meeting the needs of the IDPs. They are
unable to provide adequate living
provisions, necessary security and basic
protection. However, as a beginning step
the government has adopted the UN’s
Guiding Principles on Internal
Displacement into national law. (IDMC
2010, 5-6)
A Congolese policeman (lower right) tries to stop people entering the Mercy Corps base where UNICEF and International Medical Corps were distributing High nutrition cookies to children at the IDP camp in Kibati, north of Goma. This Photo was taken by GETTY.
Current Issues – NGOs and IDPs
Another great concern is for the NGOs
operating in the unstable areas giving aid and assistance
to the IDPs. NGOs are affected by the insecurity of North
and South Kivu Provinces and sometimes unable to
provide basic assistance to even the IDPs most in need.
A majority of IDPs have no access to basic
health care, schools, clean water, food, clothes or shelter.
This is compounded with the fact that many IDPs missed
the 2009 planting season and existing crops have been
looted. (iDMC 2010, 5) The tragedy of internal
displacement goes beyond statistical data, it reflects a
breakdown of society where basic human rights and
freedoms as well as economic and social development are
compromised. (Cohen 1998, 2-3)
This photo was taken by Amethyst A. Roth, visiting the home of Congolese IDPs. The IDP has lived in this home for 3 years.
Current Issues – IDPs to returnees
The Congolese government has many
issues to overcome, namely bringing peace to the
country by dispersing all armed militia groups as well
as developing a sustainable solution to care for their
IDP population. As it is, there is little government
support for the general population as many lack some
basic necessities of life. Also there is a failure of the
judicial system. (Longman et al., IV)
The government has developed the
Ministry for Solidarity and Human Affairs to address
IDPs and their needs. Also, the Ministry of Interior
and Ministry of Defence have been involved but in a
limited capacity. (IDMC 2009, 139)
Theses photos were taken by Andrew and Amethyst Roth at various NGO hospitals and clinics. These hospitals take teams of experienced doctors to IDP camps and villages to assist with medical needs of the internally displaced.
Current Issues – IDPs to returnees cont’d
The international non-government
organization (NGO) community has done much to
come to the aid of IDPs in the absence of
government assistance. NGOs working in the DRC
have taken over the coordination of IDP camps under
the directives of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). (IDMC
2010, 4) Numerous NGOs have
pooled their resources and objectives together to aid
in the care of IDPs and to assist the returnees through
the distribution of food and non-food items,
providing assistance to returnees and implementing
an organized structure for operations.
New arrivals at the IDP camp register for an emergency kit. World Vision assists these people with some basic needs like blankets, soap, building materials and children’s clothes. This photo is attributed to World Vision.
Current Issues – IDPs to returnees cont’d
Until widespread peace is achieved
the Congolese IDPs can not return to their
villages. One of the top directives of the United
Nations Guiding Principles on Internal
Displacement is that security decisions should
be made with IDPs in mind. This means that it
is a top priority to secure regions where IDPs
have come from. (Norwegian Refugee Council
2002, 192-194 and 198-199)
Without the UN peacekeeping force
working in conjunction with the FRDC on a
broad scale, achieving peace will be a lengthier
process. At current, there are only minimal
inter-governmental and organizational
agreements to bring lasting peace to the region
so that millions of IDPs can become returnees.
Top and right photos are attributed to Andrew and Amethyst Roth at IDP camps where people have lived for over 5 years.
Photo on the left is attributed to UN OpEd.
Current Issues – IDPs to returnees cont’d
A further issue is that the
Congolese government is urging for a
speedier withdrawal of the United
Nations forces as the recent mandate
expired. With a premature withdrawal of
international forces there is a great fear
of more chaos and bloodshed as the
FRDC is limited in their capacity to
adequately protect the country from rebel
militias. (IDMC 2010, 6)
This photo was taken by Andrew Roth at a MONUC Indian base just outside of Sake. Many of the peacekeepers on this base have already returned back to India as over 2,000 peacekeepers were withdrawn from the DRC last May.
Possible Solutions to the IDP Crisis
The Congolese government must gain further
stability to oversee their military forces and provide the
proper structure for assistance and aid to be received by the
IDPs so they can transition into returnees. This can only be
achieved by working in conjunction with international
governmental organizations such as the United Nations,
European Union, African Union as well as working with the
numerous non-government organizations.
Only after a widespread ceasefire occurs can
the Congolese government begin to transition the IDPs to
become returnees. However, there is much that must be
done to provide a structure for these returnees to receive
assistance and aid. Even if a region is fully secure most
areas have been looted and destroyed. There is no
community structure for education, business, farming,
health care, etc. as the villages have been overrun.
Top photo taken by Amethyst Roth in Goma where an influx of people fight to survive. Many flee the villages to find even basic shelter in the city.
Bottom photo taken by Andrew Roth in part of Mugunga IDP camp. Those in this camp have since left this camp as some of the first returnees as prescribed by the UNHCR.
Possible Solutions to the IDP Crisis
Securing peace is a major monumental
achievement goal that may take years to realize.
Beyond providing security, there must be a massive
influx of community development. The Congolese
government does not have the infrastructure and
resources for this massive undertaking of resettling
over two million IDPs. Yet again, the international
community must intervene to provide the necessary
aid and assistance.
The IDP crisis is complex and difficult.
Due to the many issues, it may take years before the
IDPs are able to receive adequate structure for
returning to their villages. The Congolese government
will also have to address many dynamic challenges to
bring a lasting solution. These photos were taken by Andrew Roth at Buhimba and Mugunga IDP camps which are made up of thousands of refugees. Many of whom are becoming returnees, others must sit and wait for peace to return.
Bibliography Coghlan, Benjamin et al. “Mortality in the Democratic Republic of Congo: An Ongoing Crisis.” Condition Research
Report. International Rescue Committee and Burnet Institute, 2007. http://www.theirc.org/sites/
default/files/migrated/resources/2007/2006-7_congomortalitysurvey.pdf (July 3, 2010).
The International Rescue Committee is an international aid organization specializing in assisting refugees and victims of
armed conflicts around the world. In addition to violence, disease is a common cause of mortality. The Burnet Institute is a
world leader in the study of diseases. Combined together, these two organizations collaborated together to produce a
comprehensive evaluation of the humanitarian situation through measure of mortality. The report does well to explain the
factors, history and details surrounding the IDP crisis in the DRC. At times the report is number intensive but the purpose is
to highlight the situation through statistical data. Authors present informative data, facts and findings so one can understand
the complexity of the crisis.
Bibliography
Cohen, Roberta and Frances Mading Deng, editors. The Forsaken People: Case Studies of the Internally Displaced.
Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press, 1998.
Cohen is a guest speaker and Deng is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institute. Both are considered to be experts in on
internal displacement. This book identifies ten regions suffering from severe internal displacement and the editors and
contributors offer their critique and recommendations to overcome. As it is a case study book, the chapters don’t flow
together but do refer to concepts or issues previously mentioned: a good book for some general information but not a
comprehensive look on the subject concerned. Although no chapter is dedicated to the DRC, many of the problems in
Africa have indirect/direct roots to the Congo.
Bibliography
Hochschild, Adam. King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa.
Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 1999.
Hochschild has a background in journalism and thus writes in a journalistic matter. With that said, he uncovers the dark
past of the Belgian colonizers. His writing style is not as academic as some may desire but nonetheless he does
incorporate a lot of facts from recorded history. The author does make some opinionated statements. He also
sensationalizes history as if it were a story but it doesn’t take away from the intended point and message. Definitely one
can tell the author is a journalist rather than a historian. But, if even half of what he says is true, one can see why the
Congo has evolved into what it is today.
Bibliography
IDMC. “Activity Report 2009.” Activity Report for 2009. Internal Displaced Monitoring Center. March 2010.
http://www.internal-displacement.org/8025708F004BE3B1/(httpInfoFiles)/5BF19E3A12BEB1E7C12577
370035E8B3/$file/Activity_Report_2009.pdf (July 3, 2010).
The Internally Displaced Monitoring Center provides comprehensive coverage of conflict-induced displacement around
the world. They are seen as a respected source for information and reports regarding displaced people in areas around the
world and considered the leading body given the subject matter. Upon reading the Activity Report it is more of just a
highlight of the yearly achievements of the Norwegian Refugee Council which did found this center in 1998. The report
details the main areas of work and highlights the DRC. The report is broad when discussing the Congo. It has good
information but not comprehensive.
Bibliography IDMC. “Democratic Republic of Congo: Massive Displacement and Deteriorating Humanitarian Conditions.” A
Profile of the Internal Displacement Situation. Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, 12 August 2009.
http://www.internal-displacement.org/8025708F004BE3B1/(httpInfoFiles)/28ADEA4D511D15
F3C125762700390BC0/$file/Democratic+Republic+of+the+Congo+-+August+2009.pdf (July 3, 2010).
The IDMC put a lot of effort and collaboration into this document, after all their vision is to be a source of information
and data collection. Upon reading the document one can see that they pulled from many different studies and reports
from many respected sources. This report gives precise details about the history and current issues surrounding the IDP
crisis in the DRC. With a lot of data and widely accepted findings the report paints the clear picture of the complexities
in addressing the crisis. In the end the report addresses possible resolutions to crisis. Of all the sources this is the most
comprehensive.
Bibliography IDMC. “Democratic Republic of Congo.” February 2010 Update. Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, February
2010. http://www.internal displacement.org/8025708F004BE3B1/(httpInfoFiles)/F4D1EB858711A38AC
12576D4005079A5/$file/DRC_Overview_Feb10.pdf (July 3, 2010).
This particular document from the IDMC is an update about the current situation as of Feb 2010 in the DRC. When
reading this report much of the information is repeated from the Democratic Republic of Congo: Massive Displacement
and Deteriorating Humanitarian Conditions document which is aforementioned. In terms of the findings of the update as
compared to the comprehensive previous document the situation and solutions are the same. The only difference is that
document is just a brief summary. A good summary of the complex issues surrounding the IDP situation in the DRC.
Bibliography
Longman, Timothy et al. “Eastern Congo Ravaged: Killing Civilians and Private Protest.” Human Rights Watch 12, no. 3A
(May 2000): IV Failure of the Judicial System. http://www.hrw.org/reports/2000/drc/Drc005-
04.htm#P354_59500 (accessed July 4, 2010).
The Human Rights Watch is an international organization dedicated to analyzing injustice and serve as advocates to bring
advocacy and justice to areas with human rights violations. Through using highly trained specialist, they try to accurately
report on violations of human rights. Human Rights Watch reports and journals are considered by the international
community to be accurate and are considered scholarly based on the caliber of personnel doing the reports/journal and the
length it takes to produce such documents. In this report, the team worked very hard to compile the data and the data appears
to be highly accurate and supports most other findings in other journals and reports. The findings of this journal is exhaustive
and gives an in-depth account of the human rights crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Bibliography
Mealer, Bryan. All Things Must Fight to Live: Stories of War and Deliverance in Congo. New York: Bloomsbury USA. 2008
Mealer was a journalist stationed in northern DRC during the war taking place in 1996. He saw many atrocities and the book
highlights what he witnessed. His accounts for some of the history of the Congo and brings to light some of the dark issues of
the DRC. The book talks about historic events but is hardly considered a highly academic book as he basically just talks
about what he saw and his opinions about it. A powerful book with its resolve at the end but is not as scholarly as other
sources. But this book is a good read to get an idea of the situation going on in the Congo to gain more perspective about the
complexities of life in the DRC.
Bibliography
Norwegian Refugee Council and Global IDP Project. Internally Displaced People: A Global Survey. London: Earthscan
Publications Ltd.; 2nd edition. 2002.
The NRC and Global IDP Project came together well to create a great book documenting comprehensively the current
regions of displaced people. The book highlights nearly every country with IDP issues including the DR Congo. Information
about the DR Congo was basic but the purpose of this book is to bring uninformed leaders up to date with the situation. I
appreciated how the book was laid out in a clear matter and it provided valuable information. Towards the back of the book it
reviewed the United Nations Guiding Principles on IDPs. The layout was well done as the book ended with a resolution and
methodology to aid the IDPs.