Director of the World Food Programme visits the DRC and World Vision’s programme

Following a three-day visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Ertharin Cousin, accompanied by the Governor of the North Kivu Province visited Mugunga I, a site which hosts more than 55,000 Congolese people.  

These people have fled their homes in Kanyarucinya, Rutshuru, Kibumba, and Masisi, villages in the territories surrounding Goma due to recent conflict and atrocities committed by the numerous armed groups which remain active in North Kivu.

"It was very important for me to come in person to the DRC and speak directly with IDPs. They dream only of one thing: to go home. For this to be possible, and so that food security is ensured permanently, they need peace and a long term political solution. I am the voice of these people around the world" said Ms Cousin.

Ms Cousin visited the ongoing food distribution at Mugunga I, where World Vision’s target is to reach 11,975 households living in the site. World Vision has been distributing food to this site since last November (2012) when the current crisis began.

Davies Bishi, Manager of the Food Assistance Program at World Vision explained to the visitors the ration quantity per beneficiary per month.

“The ration size by person per month is 2.91 kg of rice, 3.69 kg of maize grains, 1.8 kg of beans, 0.45 litres of oil and 0.075 kg of salt. We are distributing to 54,809 people.” said Bishi.

This visit concluded with a press conference through which Ms Cousin stressed the importance that the humanitarian community remains neutral, impartial and independent and that all the interventions are organized according to the needs of the people, regardless of nationality, race, gender, religion, creed, class, and political opinion.

“Our sole mission is to serve the people,” she said.

The population in the site expressed their gratitude to both the World Food Program and World Vision for the assistance that they have been providing, and said their only wish that remains is to return to their homes.

“We need peace so that we can go back to our home and cultivate our own food, this should be the priority for any advocacy plan” Said Mahoro, president of the Mugunga I committee for IDPs.

World Vision is still distributing food in this site and in two others at Bulengo and Lac Vert which are located approximately 15 km from Goma in Nyiragongo Territory, North Kivu.