The deputy director general of the National Fund for Reparation for Victims of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and Crimes against the Peace and Security of Humanity (FONAREV), Emmanuella Zandi, noted that identifying these individuals is an essential step toward reparation.

Zandi explained that there is a legal process for obtaining victim status and that FONAREV promotes emergency provisional measures that provide care to these individuals, as is the case with displaced persons who need immediate assistance, Radio Okapi reported.

The objective of these actions is to improve the quality of life of displaced persons who are not entitled to traditional reparations.

The public institution also compensates victims who already have enforceable court rulings.

Another priority has been the establishment of legal and judicial support mechanisms for victims in courts and tribunals.

Sexual violence is an intrinsic part of the conflict in eastern DRC, according to United Nations reports.

On June 27, before the UN Security Council, Bintou Keita, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the Stabilization Mission (MONUSCO), denounced that violence in the DRC primarily affects women and children, and that rape is used as a weapon of war.

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