Amid Sudan, DRC Conflicts, Jesuit Entity, NGOs Caution against “politicizing aid”, Call for “principles of humanity”

The signatories to the collective NGO statement say they find it regrettable that other “donors including Germany, Switzerland, the UK, France, Netherlands, and Belgium are also reducing their commitments, redirecting funds to military spending or domestic priorities.”

As a result, they lament, “from the raging conflicts in Sudan and DRC to the makeshift shelters of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, impossible choices are being made to ration food, medicine, and services.”

“These are not mere efficiencies; they are brutal decisions on which mother receives assistance and protection and which does not, which child lives or dies,” the signatories, who in addition to JRS include the Dutch Council for Refugees (DCR), Finn Church Aid (FCA), and Human Access for Partnership and Development among others, say.

Sudan and DRC are among African countries, where violent conflicts have resulted in serious humanitarian crises.

In Sudan, the violence that erupted on 15 April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has reportedly continued to “shatter the lives of thousands and decimate civilian infrastructure across the country.”

On April 3, the Associated Press (AP) reported about a surge in extrajudicial killings in the capital city of the Northeastern African nation, Khartoum, following the military's recapture of the city. Civilians accused of links to RSF have reportedly been executed without trial.

The AP report indicates that the RSF have intensified attacks on the Abo Shouk displacement camp in el-Fasher, North Darfur, resulting in at least two deaths and several injuries. The camp houses approximately 450,000 people, and these attacks have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region.

In DRC, the conflict has escalated significantly in recent months, with the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group making substantial territorial gains, including the January 27 reported takeover of Goma, which is the capital of DRC’s Eastern Province; and the subsequent capturing of Bukavu  on February 16, the second-largest city of Eastern DRC.

However, according to an April 4 Reuters reported, M23 rebels have withdrawn from the strategic Eastern town of Walikale as a goodwill gesture ahead of planned peace talks with the Congolese government in Doha on April 9.

This move follows months of conflict that have resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands.

Reports indicate further that displaced Congolese returning to areas like Goma and Sake have encountered devastated homes and a lack of basic services. Many are living in dire conditions, some women giving birth on the ground due to a lack of medical facilities.

Amid these developments in the two African countries, the signatories to the collective NGO statement, who also include Pak Mission Society (PMS), Zamzam Foundation and Refugee Council USA underline the need to “react swiftly and with principle”,

In their April 2 statement, they say, “As local, national, and international NGOs working to serve these people we acknowledge we must react swiftly and with principle. The world has changed, and we must adapt where possible and stand firm where necessary, even when impossible choices are being made.”

They emphasize the need to reaffirm their commitment to principles and standards as outlined in the Humanitarian Charter, which they say “expresses our shared conviction as humanitarian agencies that all people affected by disaster or conflict have a right to receive protection and assistance to ensure the basic conditions for life with dignity.”

“We must become even more steadfastly needs-based, to ensure we do not serve those easier to reach above those who we know we must. This will require sharing data and resources to maintain a credible evidence base of need and using this to collectively advocate to donors and partners,” the signatories to the collective NGO statement say.

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They continue, “We must ensure local actors and communities are fully engaged in the decisions about the assistance they receive and prioritize local and community-led response that is properly supported by national and international partners and donors.”

“We must continue to stand together in solidarity with those most affected by conflict and crisis and to condemn all attacks on humanitarian workers and civilians, JRS and other signatories to the collective NGO statement, who also include Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) and Plan International, among others say.