RUTSHURU, Democratic Republic of the Congo — The humanitarian situation in North Kivu is grave. The conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has already displaced almost 7 million people, according to the U.N.’s International Organization of Migration. Just last week, the U.S. Agency for International Development announced an additional $414 million for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, almost doubling Washington’s annual assistance to the country; this does not include the millions of dollars that Washington contributes directly to the IOM.
Much IOM work is laudable. The organization builds shelters, toilets, and showers. It helps coordinate with refugee agencies and the World Food Programme. IOM also brags about its work permanently resettling those displaced by conflict to third countries. Herein lies the problem.
