As years of violence hopefully come to an end with the signing of a new peace agreement in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a survey of mortality estimates that the ongoing humanitarian crisis has claimed some 5.4 million lives since 1998.

According to figures released last week by the International Rescue Committee, the legacy of conflict continues to result in as many as 45 000 deaths every month.

“The conflict and its aftermath, in terms of fatalities, surpass any other since the second world war,” said the relief agency’s president, George Rupp.

“Congo’s loss is equivalent to the entire population of Denmark or the state of Colorado perishing within a decade. Although Congo’s war formally ended five years ago, ongoing strife and poverty continue to take a staggering toll. We hope this week’s peace agreement in North Kivu will mean an end to the hostilities and a restart of reconciliation and recovery efforts.”