The Congo Crisis
Imagine for a moment that you had a pretty good life. A good husband, who may not have had the best job, but he was always able to provide for you. Beautiful children who you were always able to provide for and protect. Imagine all of this being suddenly taken away. Imagine watching those same kids that you carried , nutured, taught, protected, being helplessly carried away by a group of armed men and forced to join their group. Imagine watching that daughter that you have taught to be a lady, being brutally raped and beat by a group of men twice her age. Imagine seeing your husband cry as a baby as they brutally rape and torture you, taking away your very ability to produce children again.
Imagine then ,being shunned by that same husband because of his shame of not being able to help you. Imagine being a mother and watching your child die in your arms from a disease that could have been prevented if you had the money to just see a doctor. Imagine watching your parents being burned alive right in front of you. Although we could only imagine these things in our minds, this is reality to many women in DRC.
The DRC( Democratic Republic of Congo) have been the scence of the greatest humanatian crisis in the world. Thousands of civilans have been the victims of mass murders, torture/rape, and forced displacements.
Beginning in 1998, this conflict have caused unrest in many cities in DRC. As of 2008, an estimated 5.4 million people have died because of this conflict, causing it to be named the worst conflict since WWII. Many of these deaths are the result of starvation, AIDS, and the largest killer of all,Malaria, because civilians are forced to leave their homes and find refuges in the Bush, or refugee camps which are not the greatest living conditions.
Millions have fled their homes to try to find refuge.Those who don't flee become the victims of rape and torture. It is estimated that 400 women and girls are raped a day. Many in front of husbands, children, and sometimes in front of villages. There have also been reported cases where sons are forced to rape their mothers. Many of these women are taking through acts of torture as objects such as guns, machetes', sticks are forced inside of them. Many of these women are scarred for life, taking away their ability to reproduce. What would cause someone to treat another humanbeing with such disgrace?
Although there are many agruments and suggestions on what really caused this conflict, one of the major underlying causes for all arguments are the hunger for power, wealth, and the retaliation of the 1994 Rwanda Genocide. With the African rebel group FDLR, and the Congolese Government forces attacking mostly in the Eastern part of Congo, and the LRA launching attacks in areas near Uganda and Sudan, the citizens of DRC are left in fear and hopelessness as war surrounds them on all sides.
The Rwanda Genocide occured between April and June of 1994. After the genocide was halted, the major 
group the Hutu's fled across the border to DRC. The Tusi who regained power in Rwanda, became on the offensive line and began to attack in the DRC, where the FDLR( the Hutu culprits who played a part in the genocide) were residing. In 2003, a peace treaty was signed and the Congolese Government forces were formed by the United Nations Peacekeepers, with hopes of bringing down the FDLR and restoring peace.
However, no peace came. Instead of fighting for the people, the CGF became another force against them. With FDLR and the now newly formed Congolese Government forces raging war against each other, hopes of ending the war have become dim. Thousands of fatalities increased as these two major groups waged war against each other. Other countries such as Uganda and Rwanda, also joined in the conflict, with hopes of sharing in the wealth of resouces present in the DRC such as gold,diamonds, and coltan. Wealth, in which the everyday citizens of DRC are not allowed to partake in.