World leaders have been criticized for their neglect of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where violence has surged and 1.2 million people have been displaced. Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, stated that the level of global neglect should shame world leaders.
The humanitarian situation in eastern DRC has deteriorated since the M23 rebellion launched in 2022, with overflowing latrines and subhuman conditions in displacement camps. Egeland warned that a political settlement and aid, especially in the form of cash, are needed to ensure displaced people can rebuild their lives in areas devastated by conflict.