U.S. must also work to end 'disaster' in Congo

The devastating tsunami which pounded 12 countries in South and Southeast Asia, and Somalia, Kenya and Tanzania in Africa at the close of 2004 has claimed more than 150,000 lives. The outpouring of generosity from governments and individuals alike has turned a devastating event into perhaps the largest, most generous relief operation in history.

But across the Indian Ocean into the heart of Africa, more than 31,000 people continue to die every month. With a loss of more than 3.5 million lives, and an infrastructure of basic medical and social services left in ruins, the Democratic Republic of Congo has paid a high price for a six-year war. For peace and stability to return to the Congo, governments such as the United States must provide unyielding support to ensure that elections take place as planned in June 2005.

Restoring stability to the eastern part of the Congo is the most vital issue at hand in order to curtail the violence. Increased U.N. presence and a firm commitment to protect civilians, and an increase in humanitarian aid to help save lives by meeting basic needs requirement will prove to be beneficial in putting the Congo back on a track towards peace and reconciliation.
 

Action

Write to President Bush and newly appointed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and urge them to increase U.S. funding for humanitarian aid for the Democratic Republic of Congo, provide monetary and logistical support for the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Congo (MONUC), and support for successful elections in June 2005.

Please visit our online Legislative Action Center to send an immediate message by e-mail or fax, or send a letter by regular mail to:

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
 

Backgroundd

As some progress has been made and the Congo inches closer and closer, albeit with difficulties, to elections set for June 2005, the security situation in the Congo continues to deteriorate. The country is facing growing threats from neighboring Rwanda in its renewed hunt for Hutu extremists on Congolese soil and greater instability within its territories. Renewed clashes between various factions and the displacement of entire villages are again the norm of the day.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees recently reported that 15,000 people from the eastern part of the Congo have fled to the border of Uganda. Others who have nowhere else to run or are unable to make a long journey are hiding in bushes for weeks on end without shelter or food.

UUSC partner organizations report that Congolese have fallen hostage to rival factions battling one another, unable to leave their towns for fear they will be charged with passing information to the warring faction or for aiding their enemies in some way. They add that civilians live in a constant state of fear, even at night when rebels break into homes to find a place to sleep.

In 2004, the Democratic Republic of Congo received $188 million in international aid, which amounted to $3.23 per person. Dr. Richard Brennan, one of the authors of the mortality survey recently published by International Rescue Committee says “Our findings show that improving and maintaining security and increasing simple, proven and cost-effective interventions such as basic medical care, immunizations and clean water would save hundreds of thousands of lives in Congo. There's no shortage of evidence. It's sustained compassion and political will that's lacking.”