A waitress at an upscale restaurant in Goma said: “For some time now, there have been far fewer customers. Before, there were 16 of us waitstaff. Today, there are only four of us left. And tips, which used to help us make ends meet, have become very rare.”
Date: 6/26
Region: Africa
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Topic: Economy & Livelihoods
Policy Lens: Economic & Trade Interests
Entry Type: Secondary Effect
Additional Context: This information was collected as part of The Aid Report’s original reporting, “In eastern DRC, Goma's aid economy unravels.” This feature story examines how the effects of aid cuts extend far beyond NGOs. As programs close and international staff leave, families are losing income, apartments are sitting empty, and businesses are closing.
This quote is attributed to Bénite Ushindi, a 22-year-old who has been a waitress for three years in one of the city’s upscale restaurants. The effects of the U.S. aid cuts on the economy are visible in the service industry, especially in bars and restaurants once crowded with aid workers and expatriates. According to the report, in the past, on a Friday evening around 7 p.m., residents who could afford it would gather at popular bar-restaurants such as La Rosta, Le Volcan, or Barbecue. Now these restaurants are often empty.
Source: Devex