Oxfam reaction to the High-Level meeting on Africa's Great Lakes: Military solutions have consistently failed

Sally Chin of Oxfam said:

“Focusing on a military solution will take the region down the wrong path. A long series of military operations in recent years has consistently failed to provide lasting security to civilians and have instead often led to further displacement and suffering.

“Around half a million people have been forced to flee their homes since the beginning of 2012 in eastern Congo, many of them in urgent need of clean water, healthcare, food, protection and shelter. They should be the main focus of the international community and the UN mission in the Congo should ensure that protecting these people is their number one priority.”

“We need to see increased funding from the international community towards peace-building, conflict-resolution initiatives and of course for the huge humanitarian needs in the Congo.