Cash and conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Cash and conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Bahati Mitondo spared part of the cash she received to extend her farming lands. Photo: WFP/Jacques David

Micheline Ngalara smiles as she counts money she has just received during a distribution in Djugu territory in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

“My village is close from here but it’s too dangerous to go back,” says Michelene — “36 were killed in January.” She adds: “Receiving cash is the smartest thing to do to help us here. I can pay for my family’s healthcare and school fees as well as food, of course.

“We once had a good life but the war spoiled everything as we get killed with machetes and guns,” says Michelene, who now lives in Loto village, 70 km from Bunia, the main town of Ituri province.

Civilians pay the price

Humanitarian crises triggered by conflict raging in eastern DRC are driving millions from their homes. Cash assistance provided by the World Food Programme (WFP) helps many people just like Michelene, sometimes also providing the opportunity to start a new life.

A total 2,600 IDPs are being assisted by WFP and its humanitarian partner, INTERSOS. Most fled fighting between armed groups and the armed forces of DRC, from December last year to January 2019.

The causes of these confrontations remain unclear but one thing is certain — it’s civilian populations who always pay the price. Villages are looted and burnt, people are raped and killed.
['Jacques David']
['Uk Aid', 'Eu', 'Humanitarian', 'Drc', 'Cash']