The United Nations is continuing to warn of a worsening humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, saying 4.5 million have been displaced and 2 million children are facing severe malnutrition amid a surge in violence as President Joseph Kabila tries to hold on to power, more than a year after the end of his term. This is Filippo Grandi, the United Nations high commissioner for refugees, appealing for more international aid.

Filippo Grandi: “I want to make a strong appeal to the international community. Africa is far away, is far away from the rich countries. Many of these refugees will not trek for thousands of miles and cross the sea and arrive in Europe to remind the world of their existence, as the Syrians did, as others did. They stay here, they suffer here, but they are equally in need.”

The United Nations is slated to hold a major donor conference next week to raise funds for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. President Kabila’s administration is boycotting the event and denying his country is facing a humanitarian crisis.