Hadja Lahbib, the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, has embarked on a tour of the Great Lakes region of Africa, with her first stop in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This visit comes in the context of increasing concerns over humanitarian access in the region, particularly following the occupation of Goma in eastern Congo by the armed group M23 a year ago. Lahbib's engagements during this trip will focus on critical discussions regarding the humanitarian crisis triggered by ongoing violence and instability.

During her visit, Lahbib has underscored the alarming reduction in humanitarian access, which has been reported by local actors on the ground. The European Commissioner has recently called for unrestricted and comprehensive humanitarian access to aid those affected by the conflict and its repercussions. This aligns with her agenda for the tour, where she aims to address these pressing challenges directly with policymakers and humanitarian organizations in each country she visits.

Ultimately, this tour represents the EU's commitment to addressing humanitarian needs in the Great Lakes region and highlights the crucial role of international cooperation in responding to the ongoing crises. Through her dialogues in the DRC, Burundi, and Rwanda, Lahbib hopes to foster stronger partnerships to enhance the effectiveness of humanitarian aid and to ensure that the needs of the most vulnerable populations are met amid escalating challenges.