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Poverty in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Poverty in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is widespread and unchecked across its 26 provinces. Despite being the second largest country in Africa with an approximate area of 2.3 million square kilometers and being endowed with rich natural resources; it is the second poorest country in the world[1]. The DRC is home to a population of nearly 80 million with an average annual income of $785 US dollars[2]. In 2016, the United Nations (UN) Human Development Index ranked the DRC as the 176th least-developed country out of 188 countries with an HDI of 0.435[3].

Causes

Instability

Instability from years of war and political upheaval is one of the most significant causes of poverty in the DRC. The DRC is home to raw mineral ores worth an estimated $24 trillion dollars, which has been the driving force for one of the world’s most devastating conflicts since World War II[4]. The war over raw materials in the Congo kills an estimated 10,000 civilians a month [4]. The precious metals mined in the Congo are used in the manufacturing of smartphones, lightbulbs, computers, and jewelry. The corruption in the mining industry has become a lucrative trade for militia groups who have generated yearly revenues estimated around $185 million indirectly from foreign investors[5]. The continual violent clashes between political and ethnic groups over resource wealthy regions continues to drive the instability of the DRC.

Disease

Disease is another central cause of poverty in the DRC. Major diseases such as cholera, hepatitis A, malaria, polio, measles and typhoid fever continue to run rampant. 1.2% of the Congolese are affected by HIV/AIDS[6]. In the DRC, malaria is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality. The DRC has the second-highest number of reported cases of malaria worldwide[6]. Children are especially susceptible to malaria and is responsible for the deaths of 19 percent of children under the age of five [7]. The DRC also accounts for 80 percent of tuberculosis cases in the world [6]. Infectious diseases have reduced the life expectancy of the Congolese to only 48 years[8].

Hunger

File:Congo Puddle.jpg
A small girl washes her hands in a puddle near MONUSCO base in Kitshanga after heavy fighting broke between APCLS and FARDC, it is estimated that 5000 peoples were displaced and at least 90 where killed, the 7th of March 2013

According to the Food Security Portal, nearly 70 percent of the DRC population have little to no access to an adequate food supply contributing to the malnourishment of one out of every four children[9]. Malnutrition in children is especially high in war-torn provinces that rely on the mining industry. The principal contributing factor to food shortages is population displacement. Due to the ongoing violence the United Nations estimates that approximately 2.3 million persons are displaced in the DRC[10]. The conflicts in mining provinces have disrupted harvesting activities resulting in three million people being at risk of starvation[11]. Water shortages also play an integral role in severe food shortages. The lack of infrastructure in rural areas, as well as the collapse of infrastructure due to fighting, have left the majority of the Congolese without access to clean water sources[12]. The DRC holds over half of the water reserves in Africa, and yet, in 2011, three-quarters of the population had no access to safe drinking water[13].

See Also

References

  1. ^ Gregson, Jonathan. "Poorest Countries in the World". Global Finance. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  2. ^ Sen Nag, Oishimaya. "Poorest Countries In Africa". Worldatlas. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  3. ^ United Nations Development Programme. "Human Development Reports". Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  4. ^ a b Lee, Esther. "The Paradox Of Congo: How The World's Wealthiest Country Became Home To The World's Poorest People". ThinkProgress.
  5. ^ Bafilemba, Fidel; Mueller, Timo; Lezhnev, Sasha. "The Impact of Dodd-Frank and Conflict Minerals Reforms on Eastern Congo's Conflict" (PDF). EnoughProject.org. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  6. ^ a b c USAAID. "Global Health". USAID from the American People. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  7. ^ PMI. "Democratic Republic of the Congo". PMI: President's Malaria Initiative. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  8. ^ SOS Children's Villages. "Sponsor a child in Congo". SOS Children's Villages United Kingdom. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  9. ^ Food Security Portal. "Democratic Republic of the Congo". Food Security Portal. IFPRI. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  10. ^ The World Bank. "The World Bank in DRC". The World Bank. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  11. ^ Baynes, Chris. "Millions face starvation in Democratic Republic of Congo, UN warns". Independent. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  12. ^ Shore, Rebecca. "Water in Crisis - Democratic Republic of Congo". The Water Project. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  13. ^ UN News. "In water-rich DR Congo, 50 million people lack clean water to drink – UN". UN News. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
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