Ten years of armed conflict left the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) sapped of all strength. Today, the population is still suffering the effects of the conflict in everyday life (disease, malnutrition, and under-development), plus continuing murder and violence. It is estimated that there are 800 000 displaced persons in the country. Peace agreements drawn up in January 2008 have done nothing to change the situation. Civilians are always the first victims, and armed groups and members of national military forces continue to make illegal gains from the country's natural resources which provide a source of income to fund the conflict.