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Democratic Republic of Congo

Displaced people in North Kivu at the IDP site in Kibati, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), November 2008. The Kibati site had a population of 6,000 until fighting started, when the camp population surged to an estimated 40,000 people within a week. © UThe conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the deadliest in African history. Since it began in August 1998, it is estimated that the fighting and its aftermath (poverty, disease, and malnutrition) have claimed more than five million lives.

The recent fighting has left the country on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. It is estimated that nearly 300,000 civilians have been displaced and are now left without sufficient food, water, medical supplies or shelter.

The situation remains volatile in eastern DRC, particularly in the rural areas. Despite a ceasefire in place, there are concerns that the conflict could reignite as tensions remain high in the region.

UK Government responds

David Miliband, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.In response to over 16,000 emails sent as part of Amnesty's campaign to protect civilians in the DRC we have received a letter from John Hutton and David Miliband. Thank you to everyone who took part in the campaign. Read the letter (PDF)

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DRC: Protect human rights defender Justine Masika Bihamba
<span style="background-color: #66CC33;"><font color="#FFFFFF"><strong> LETTER </span style></font></strong> Justine Masika Bihamba and her family have been attacked because of her work as coordinator of a women's human rights organisation.

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Child Soldiers Abandoned

Child soldiers abandoned in Democratic Republic of CongoAt least 11,000 children are still with armed groups or unaccounted for more than two years after the government launched a country-wide programme to release and reintegrate child soldiers into civilian life Find out more about child soldiers in the DRC