Peace Network Advocates for Cash Assistance in Response to the DRC Humanitarian Crisis
As the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to worsen, Peace Network stands in solidarity with aid organizations calling for more effective responses to the growing needs of the population. With over 25 million people requiring emergency assistance and 7 million displaced, particularly in the eastern provinces, the situation is critical. Amid chronic underfunding and the immense scale of displacement, cash assistance has emerged as a crucial and effective solution.
In 2024, the conflict in North Kivu saw unprecedented levels of displacement, with 1.6 million people forced from their homes, the majority of them women and children. Despite the severity of the crisis, only 35% of the humanitarian response plan for the DRC has been funded, making it one of the most neglected humanitarian emergencies in the world.
Why Cash Assistance Matters
Peace Network supports the increasing call for cash-based assistance as a more efficient and dignified response to the DRC crisis. According to a 2021 value-for-money study conducted by the SAFER Consortium, cash transfers are four times more efficient than in-kind aid and up to 86% cheaper. This cost-effectiveness allows humanitarian actors to reach significantly more people with the same amount of funds.
Cash provides recipients with flexibility and the ability to prioritize their needs, restoring a sense of dignity and agency that is often lost in times of crisis. Unlike in-kind donations, which are frequently resold at a fraction of their cost in overwhelmed local markets, cash transfers offer a more direct and effective form of assistance. In Goma, where markets have been flooded with in-kind donations, the inefficiency of in-kind aid has become evident, with goods being sold at lower prices out of sheer desperation for cash.
Peace Network's Commitment
At Peace Network, we advocate for approaches that place the dignity of affected populations at the forefront of humanitarian efforts. By participating in global movements that prioritize cash assistance, we align with a growing consensus that cash transfers not only provide immediate relief but also contribute to more sustainable, long-term solutions.
We believe that humanitarian aid must be efficient, flexible, and respectful of the needs of the people it serves. Cash-based interventions achieve this by empowering communities and helping them address their most urgent needs, whether it be food, shelter, or healthcare.
How You Can Help
We invite everyone to support Peace Network's efforts in advocating for the expanded use of cash assistance in humanitarian responses. Through donations, raising awareness, and calling on governments and international organizations to prioritize cash transfers, you can help bring about more effective aid in crisis-stricken areas like the DRC.
Together, we can ensure that the most vulnerable populations are provided with the resources they need in the most effective and dignified way possible. Peace Network is committed to working with partners and global communities to bring about a more equitable and humane response to this escalating crisis.
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