The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is at a critical point in its history. While the forthcoming elections offer the country new opportunities, it is also facing rising tensions, and at least 42 million people still endure appalling poverty and suffering. The DRC Humanitarian Action Plan (HAP) prepared by the UN represents a major change in humanitarian appeals, with a focus on reflecting needs more accurately. The request for almost $700m in humanitarian aid is the subject of the donor conference taking place in Brussels on 13 February 2006. Oxfam calls on donors not to betray the people of the DRC or block the momentum behind this plan with a routine lukewarm response. Instead, they must rise to the challenge of meeting real needs in the DRC, which is at a critical point of both crisis and transition.