Poverty is widespread and unchecked across the 26 provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Despite being the second-largest country in Africa, with an approximate area of 2.3 million square kilometres (890,000 sq mi), and being endowed with rich natural resources, the DRC is the second-poorest country in the world.[1] The average annual income is only $449 US dollars.[2] In 2019, the United Nations (UN) Human Development Index (HDI) ranked the DRC as the 175th least-developed country out of 189 countries with an HDI of 0.480.[3] More than 80% of Congolese people live on less than $1.25 a day, defined as the threshold for extreme poverty.[a]
Share of population in extreme poverty over time, 1981 to 2019
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 were killed, 7 March 2013.
Instability from years of wars and political upheaval is one of the most significant causes of poverty in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), while poverty and youth unemployment has ignited conflicts.[4]: 29 The DRC is home to raw mineral ores worth an estimated US$24 trillion, which has been the driving force for one of the worlds most devastating conflicts since World War II.[6] The war over raw materials in the Congo kills an estimated 10,000 civilians a month.[6] 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, before 2010, generated yearly revenues estimated around $185 million indirectly from foreign investors. Although the passage of the Dodd–Frank Act in the US substantially reduced the market for illegal minerals, and the majority of mines are now under civilian control,[7] militia groups continue to fund themselves from gold mining. Foreign companies investing in the armed groups that control mineral resources has resulted in the loss of over $1 billion in tax revenue. In addition, the Congolese government's awarding of mining assets to foreign countries at one-sixth their value have cost the Congolese people about $1.35 billion.[6]
The DRC was very poor before the most recent outbreak of civil war in the 1990s. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, the data is sparse, but nevertheless it has concluded that "[a]rmed conflicts have caused a deterioration in living standards in most of the provinces".[4]: 67 Households in war-torn areas spend less money per person for daily expenses than those in peaceful areas, a sign that the war has negatively affected their economic conditions.[4]: 67
Diseasesedit
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. HIV/AIDS affects 1.2% of the Congolese.[8] 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.[8] Children are especially susceptible to malaria, and the disease is responsible for the deaths of 19% of children under the age of five.[9]Tuberculosis is another leading cause of death.[10] Infectious diseases have reduced the life expectancy of the Congolese to only 48 years,[11] while one in seven children dies before the age of five.[6]
Hungeredit
Orphanage in DRC
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.[12] 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.[13] The conflicts in mining provinces have disrupted harvesting activities resulting in three million people being at risk of starvation.[14]
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.[15] 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.[16]
^A 2005 nationwide survey found a poverty rate of 71.3%.[4]: 67 However, the national poverty criterion is less strict than the international definition of extreme poverty. According to the IMF, in 2012 82% of Congolese residents were living on less than $1.25 a day.[5]
Citations
^Gregson, Jonathan. "Poorest Countries in the World". Global Finance. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
^Sen Nag, Oishimaya. "Poorest Countries In Africa". Worldatlas. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
^Human Development Report 2020 The Next Frontier: Human Development and the Anthropocene(PDF). United Nations Development Programme. 15 December 2020. pp. 343–346. ISBN978-92-1-126442-5. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
^ abcd"Conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Causes, impact and implications for the Great Lakes region". www.uneca.org. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
^ abcdLee, Esther. "The Paradox Of Congo: How The World's Wealthiest Country Became Home To The World's Poorest People". ThinkProgress.
^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.
^ abUSAAID. "Global Health". USAID from the American People. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
^PMI. "Democratic Republic of the Congo". PMI: President's Malaria Initiative. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
^Barhingigwa, Moïse. "Increasing TB Detection and Treatment in Democratic Republic of the Congo". Retrieved 6 August 2018.
^SOS Children's Villages. "Sponsor a child in Congo". SOS Children's Villages United Kingdom. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
^Food Security Portal. "Democratic Republic of the Congo". Food Security Portal. IFPRI. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
^The World Bank. "The World Bank in DRC". The World Bank. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
^Baynes, Chris. "Millions face starvation in Democratic Republic of Congo, UN warns". The Independent. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
^Shore, Rebecca. "Water in Crisis – Democratic Republic of Congo". The Water Project. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
^UN News. "In water-rich DR Congo, 50 million people lack clean water to drink – UN". UN News. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
External linksedit
Human Development Report: Congo (Democratic Republic of the)
January 01, 1970
poverty, democratic, republic, congo, poverty, widespread, unchecked, across, provinces, democratic, republic, congo, despite, being, second, largest, country, africa, with, approximate, area, million, square, kilometres, being, endowed, with, rich, natural, r. Poverty is widespread and unchecked across the 26 provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC Despite being the second largest country in Africa with an approximate area of 2 3 million square kilometres 890 000 sq mi and being endowed with rich natural resources the DRC is the second poorest country in the world 1 The average annual income is only 449 US dollars 2 In 2019 the United Nations UN Human Development Index HDI ranked the DRC as the 175th least developed country out of 189 countries with an HDI of 0 480 3 More than 80 of Congolese people live on less than 1 25 a day defined as the threshold for extreme poverty a Share of population in extreme poverty over time 1981 to 2019 Contents 1 Causes 1 1 Instability 1 2 Diseases 1 3 Hunger 1 4 Water 2 See also 3 References 4 External linksCauses editInstability edit Further information Mining industry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Allied Democratic Forces insurgency Ituri conflict Kivu conflict and LRA insurgency nbsp 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 were killed 7 March 2013 Instability from years of wars and political upheaval is one of the most significant causes of poverty in the Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC while poverty and youth unemployment has ignited conflicts 4 29 The DRC is home to raw mineral ores worth an estimated US 24 trillion which has been the driving force for one of the worlds most devastating conflicts since World War II 6 The war over raw materials in the Congo kills an estimated 10 000 civilians a month 6 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 before 2010 generated yearly revenues estimated around 185 million indirectly from foreign investors Although the passage of the Dodd Frank Act in the US substantially reduced the market for illegal minerals and the majority of mines are now under civilian control 7 militia groups continue to fund themselves from gold mining Foreign companies investing in the armed groups that control mineral resources has resulted in the loss of over 1 billion in tax revenue In addition the Congolese government s awarding of mining assets to foreign countries at one sixth their value have cost the Congolese people about 1 35 billion 6 The DRC was very poor before the most recent outbreak of civil war in the 1990s According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa the data is sparse but nevertheless it has concluded that a rmed conflicts have caused a deterioration in living standards in most of the provinces 4 67 Households in war torn areas spend less money per person for daily expenses than those in peaceful areas a sign that the war has negatively affected their economic conditions 4 67 Diseases edit 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 HIV AIDS affects 1 2 of the Congolese 8 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 8 Children are especially susceptible to malaria and the disease is responsible for the deaths of 19 of children under the age of five 9 Tuberculosis is another leading cause of death 10 Infectious diseases have reduced the life expectancy of the Congolese to only 48 years 11 while one in seven children dies before the age of five 6 Hunger edit nbsp Orphanage in DRC 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 12 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 13 The conflicts in mining provinces have disrupted harvesting activities resulting in three million people being at risk of starvation 14 Water edit Main article Water crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 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 15 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 16 See also editEconomy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Water crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Mining industry of the Democratic Republic of the CongoReferences editNotes A 2005 nationwide survey found a poverty rate of 71 3 4 67 However the national poverty criterion is less strict than the international definition of extreme poverty According to the IMF in 2012 82 of Congolese residents were living on less than 1 25 a day 5 Citations Gregson Jonathan Poorest Countries in the World Global Finance Retrieved 27 June 2018 Sen Nag Oishimaya Poorest Countries In Africa Worldatlas Retrieved 27 June 2018 Human Development Report 2020 The Next Frontier Human Development and the Anthropocene PDF United Nations Development Programme 15 December 2020 pp 343 346 ISBN 978 92 1 126442 5 Retrieved 16 December 2020 a b c d Conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo Causes impact and implications for the Great Lakes region www uneca org United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Retrieved 8 September 2018 Democratic Republic of the Congo Selected Issues International Monetary Fund Retrieved 8 September 2018 a b c d Lee Esther The Paradox Of Congo How The World s Wealthiest Country Became Home To The World s Poorest People ThinkProgress 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 a b USAAID Global Health USAID from the American People Retrieved 28 June 2018 PMI Democratic Republic of the Congo PMI President s Malaria Initiative Retrieved 28 June 2018 Barhingigwa Moise Increasing TB Detection and Treatment in Democratic Republic of the Congo Retrieved 6 August 2018 SOS Children s Villages Sponsor a child in Congo SOS Children s Villages United Kingdom Retrieved 28 June 2018 Food Security Portal Democratic Republic of the Congo Food Security Portal IFPRI Retrieved 28 June 2018 The World Bank The World Bank in DRC The World Bank Retrieved 28 June 2018 Baynes Chris Millions face starvation in Democratic Republic of Congo UN warns The Independent Retrieved 28 June 2018 Shore Rebecca Water in Crisis Democratic Republic of Congo The Water Project Retrieved 28 June 2018 UN News In water rich DR Congo 50 million people lack clean water to drink UN UN News Retrieved 28 June 2018 External links editHuman Development Report Congo Democratic Republic of the Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Poverty in the Democratic Republic of the Congo amp oldid 1219993255, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
