Local people are subjected to warring rebel groups and children are being exploited for labour and militia training.

The fighting has displaced 2 million people from their homes, while starvation and disease have killed hundreds and thousands.  Sexual violence has escalated and women are forced into sex or use it as a means of survival for them and their children.

Currently, there are 1,100,000 people living with HIV and 770,000 children have been orphaned by the disease. 

Health care and education in the DR of Congo have been destroyed and organisations, such as UNICEF have stepped in to help rehabilitate the systems.

The war-trodden country has been gripped by devastation on many levels due to the exploitation of a specific resource contributing to the global electronic market.  If we, as global citizens, embrace and fuel that market, then we also have global responsibilities.  The offence being committed against the DR of Congo’s people, animals, and natural environment demands global and individual assistance given that the electronic market is universally embraced.