UN seeks funding for DRC citizens in hellish conditions that include rampant sexual abuse
But the Democratic Republic of Congo denies that there is a humanitarian crisis there, instead accusing foreign powers of scaring away investment
Geneva — On Friday, the UN called for global funding to aid millions of people facing hellish living conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after years of factional bloodshed and lawlessness. President Joseph Kabila’s government chose not to attend a UN pledging conference held in Geneva this week. Kinshasa has denied there is a humanitarian crisis and accused foreign powers of stigmatising the country and scaring away investment. The UN is seeking $2.2bn to support about 13-million people in the DRC this year, including 2.2-million children with severe acute malnutrition, which makes them susceptible to death from disease. UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock opened the conference without mentioning the government’s absence, but praised its "prominent role" and anticipated further co-operation. "People sometimes forget that lots of things over the last 15 years have improved in DRC and that’s happened under the leadership of the government," he told reporters. Foreign m...
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