A new survey by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has revealed a harrowing picture of life in displacement camps in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with widespread violence, particularly sexual assault, occurring on a daily basis.
The research, conducted by MSF’s Epicentre, focused on four camps west of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.
The findings are stark: more than one in ten young women reported being raped between November 2023 and April 2024.
The surge in violence comes amid the ongoing conflict in the region, fueled by the resurgence of the M23 rebel group.
Since late 2021, the M23 has seized vast swathes of territory, displacing hundreds of thousands of people.
The rebels, backed by Rwanda, have encircled Goma, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
“This survey shows the daily frequency and alarming levels of violence, particularly sexual violence, that persist in and around the camps,” said Camille Niel, MSF’s emergency coordinator in Goma.
“Victims and survivors report being attacked by armed men while collecting firewood or food, highlighting the extreme vulnerability of these displaced people.”
MSF medical teams have also reported a sharp increase in sexual violence cases, corroborating the survey’s findings.
The organization is calling on authorities to prioritize the security of displacement camps.
With 2.8 million people already displaced in North Kivu, the humanitarian situation is dire.
Decades of conflict in the mineral-rich eastern DRC have created a complex and volatile environment, making it difficult to provide aid and protection to those in need.