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'And so, I fled': new exhibition on Democratic Republic of Congo
The crisis the world ignored: DRC exhibition
A new multimedia exhibition in Belfast organised by Concern Worldwide seeks to share the compelling stories of people displaced and directly impacted by the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
'And so, I fled: DRC - the crisis the world ignored' focuses on the lives of individuals who have been forced to flee their homes in eastern DRC - the region worst-affected by the conflict. Some of them have faced physical violence at the hands of armed groups, others have lost their homes, sources of income and land.
With photos by Concern's Eugene Wachira Ikua, an immersive video wall and audio recordings, the exhibition features first person accounts of nine people living in North Kivu and Tanganyika, who share how years of conflict have overshadowed their daily lives. They describe how they have been impacted by this largely neglected crisis, and how they are finding ways to survive, adapt and recover.
The exhibition, which opens in the Belfast Exposed gallery on 3 April, also details the difference support from Concern and humanitarian partners ACTED, Congo Handicap, Danish Refugee Council, and Première Urgence Internationale is making to those most-affected, through the Enabling Affected Communities to Survive and Thrive (EAST) project, funded by the UK government.
In October 2024, while on her way to cultivate land, Zuri (45) experienced sexual violence. Photo: Eugene Ikua/Concern Worldwide
Alice (27) runs a successful dress-making business and is passing on her skills to other women in the community. Photo: Eugene Ikua/Concern Worldwide
Aldegonde (42) with two-year-old son Japhet, who has been receiving treatment to rectify his mobility issues. Phpto: Eugene Ikua/Concern Worldwide
The decades-long conflict in DRC has forced more than 7.2 million people from their homes, making it the second largest internal displacement crisis in Africa and one of the worst in the world. DRC also faces one of the world’s worst hunger emergencies. But despite its scale and severity, the crisis remains largely ignored by the rest of the world.
'And so, I fled: DRC - the crisis the world ignored' opens on Thursday 3 April and runs until Saturday 12 April in the Studio Gallery, Belfast Exposed, Donegall Street, Belfast, BT1 2FF.
The gallery is open Tuesday–Saturday, 11am–5pm, extended to 9pm for Late Night Art on Thursday 3 April.
Two of Claire’s children, Ebenezer (2) and Jonathan (13) have mobility issues. Eugene Ikua/Concern Worldwide
WARNING: The exhibition features themes of physical and sexual violence and is intended for a mature audience.
