US Aid Suspension Severely Impacts Humanitarian Efforts in DR Congo – UN

A senior UN official has warned that the suspension of US foreign aid has had a devastating effect on humanitarian operations in the conflict-stricken Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). Bruno Lemarquis, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator in DR Congo, expressed deep concern over the situation, emphasizing the country’s heavy reliance on US assistance.

Speaking to reporters, Lemarquis noted that the US was the largest donor of humanitarian aid to DR Congo in the past year, contributing approximately 70% of the country’s total assistance. The decision to halt all international aid, made by US President Donald Trump, has significantly disrupted relief efforts at a critical time.

The aid suspension comes amid escalating violence between the M23 rebel group, which is reportedly backed by Rwanda, and the Congolese army. The renewed clashes have exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis, displacing an estimated 700,000 people in just one month.

The situation is particularly grave in Goma, a key city in eastern DR Congo, which fell under M23 control last month. Residents there have described widespread destruction, with livelihoods shattered and hospitals struggling to cope with the influx of wounded individuals.

Lemarquis also raised alarm over the increasing risk of disease outbreaks, including cholera and mpox, due to poor sanitation and overcrowded conditions in displacement camps. The growing humanitarian needs are further worsened by rising food prices, making access to essential supplies even more difficult for vulnerable populations.

However, efforts to address these challenges have been severely undermined by the US aid freeze. Lemarquis stressed that many crucial relief programs had to shut down, impacting emergency health services, food aid, and shelter for displaced families.

The UN official admitted that the heavy reliance on US funding had left humanitarian agencies struggling to operate. “Our ultra-dependence on US funding means a lot of programs had to shut down on everything we are doing. So, it’s emergency health, it is emergency shelter,” he stated.

The suspension of aid has left aid agencies and humanitarian workers in a difficult position, with limited resources to respond to the crisis. As the situation in DR Congo worsens, international organizations are calling for urgent solutions to ensure that lifesaving assistance reaches those in desperate need.

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