1. The Logistics Cluster was activated in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2008 in response to one of the world’s most complex and longest-standing humanitarian crises.
2. Conflict, insecurity and Ebola have all affected the humanitarian situation. Every day, the cluster seeks solutions to logistics challenges across some of the country’s most remote and diverse landscapes to ensure responding agencies in the field can reach those in need
3. With an area of almost 2.4 million square kilometres, DRC is by far the largest country the Logistics Cluster operates in. This is an area bigger than Spain, France, Germany, Sweden and Norway combined!
4. In 2017, the Logistics Cluster in DRC worked alongside 185 different humanitarian organisations. This June alone, 106 different organisation used Logistics Cluster services in support of 8.5 million people in need of assistance.
5. The River Congo has the second largest river basin in the world after the Amazon, and covers a massive 3.4 million square kilometres. This means tributaries slice up the Congolese landscape, making overland transportation and delivery of relief items incredibly challenging. That’s why bridges are such a critical component of the country’s logistics infrastructure. The Logistics Cluster, through AASF, ACTED, CARITAS & MONUSCO, has helped facilitate the renovation of nine bridges in 2018 alone!
But when the roads remain impassable, and to reach those most isolated, flexibility is key. In these instances, the Logistics Cluster works with nature – not against it! - utilising this complex network of rivers to facilitate the transport humanitarian aid by boat.
