Hope despite everything?
The list of global crises is long - the food crisis, climate crisis, war, military conflicts and a crisis of confidence in liberal-democratic countries are affecting the prospect of a better future. People in the Global South, who are struggling with numerous crises, are particularly affected. How are they faring and what glimmers of hope are visible on the horizon?
According to the World Hunger Organization, more than 8% of the world's population - or 673 million people - still suffer from hunger. The number is falling slightly globally, but is still above the pre-pandemic level. In contrast, the number in Africa and South East Asia, including Cambodia, continues to rise.
The manifestation of crises
70 percent of people suffering from hunger live in conflict-affected regions. People living in insecure conditions are unable to cultivate their fields, which severely affects food production. Extreme weather events are increasing in the global South, destroying harvests, endangering livelihoods and claiming lives. This situation threatens to spiral out of control if the global community does not act quickly.
The economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic have not yet been overcome in many countries of the global South, and the high levels of national debt are an additional burden. The effects of the war in Ukraine are particularly noticeable in low-income countries. Food prices remain extremely high. People who have been displaced by war are particularly at risk of suffering from hunger and are increasingly dependent on scarce humanitarian aid.
An epicenter of the crisis
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, decades of conflict have led to more than seven million people being displaced within the country. According to the Center for Preventive Action, more than 23 million people there - around a quarter of the population - live in a situation where they are not fully food secure. This makes the DR Congo the country most affected by food insecurity in the world.
A curse instead of a blessing
Another factor exacerbating the crisis are the extensive deposits of rare earths in the east of the country. The illegal trade in these raw materials is also financing the war.
Instead of benefiting from the rich mineral resources, the population runs the risk of being driven off their land and out of their settlements by the expansion of mines. The increasing demand for various metals - indeed, the greed for them - represents a deadly trap for the local people that they cannot overcome on their own. As long as international players are involved in this system, little will change. Solutions to stop the illegal trade are available, but multilateral agreements have so far failed.
Vicious circle of dependencies
Blanchard Ayinza Boke, the country coordinator of Connexio develop in the DR Congo, summarizes the effects of the global crises as follows: The country is heavily dependent on imports due to weak domestic production. Cities such as Kinshasa are dependent on imports for food. The entire country imports most industrial products because there is only a small industrial sector. The current crisis, which is also affecting the price of petrol and restricting the transportation of goods and merchandise, is having a negative impact on the DR Congo's economy and the social situation of its people
Crisis in the humanitarian sector
The Trump administration's decisions have shown how quickly the humanitarian sector can fall into crisis - with the result that people are cut off from vital support. Gabriel Dikete Otshudi, Health Coordinator of the Episcopal Region of Central Congo, reports on the devastating effects in hospitals. For example, there is a lack of HIV medication and testing facilities. HIV has by no means disappeared, but people living with the virus are now particularly at risk. The state promises to take over certain services, but this help is only barely noticeable.
The World Food Program sends out urgent appeals for help, but has to decide who receives support and who does not due to a lack of funds. In view of the fact that sufficient food is produced worldwide, every death caused by hunger is an intolerable scandal. Not only the USA, but also many other countries have cut their budgets for international cooperation.
Switzerland thinks of itself first
Switzerland has also gone down this path: The budget available to Swiss aid organizations has been reduced by 10.5 percent. How the situation will develop in 2026 depends on parliament. Politicians and the population in Switzerland would be well advised to provide more, not less, funding for international cooperation. Security can only be guaranteed in the long term through a fairer and more inclusive world.
Even with fewer resources, Connexio hope and Connexio develop want to continue to work as best they can for a fairer and more inclusive world. Bishop Daniel Lunge Onashuyaka says that Connexio hope and Connexio develop are small organizations, but their impact in the Democratic Republic of Congo is great.
Voices of hope
When asked what motivates him to continue working for a better world despite the many crises, Blanchard Ayinza Boke says: «It is the strong hope based on the Christian faith and that justice, truth and good will one day prevail over evil. It is also the opportunity to work in collaboration with international actors such as Connexio develop and make an impact, albeit on a smaller scale.»
The east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis characterized by ongoing violence, displacement and systemic state failure. For decades, numerous armed groups - including the M23 rebels - have been fighting for control of resource-rich areas in North and South Kivu. The civilian population is paying the price.
The war is a vicious circle of resource exploitation, ethnic tensions and geopolitical interests - while the world looks the other way. Churches such as the Methodist Church are providing emergency aid, but the resources are far from sufficient.
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In the DR Congo, violent conflicts, extreme food insecurity and the exploitation of raw materials are endangering the lives of millions. State aid is barely noticeable and international funding has been cut.
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