The Democratic Republic of Congo has one of the highest rates of poverty in the world. CGTN's Chris Ocamringa takes a closer look at the factors that contribute to the problem.

CHRIS OCAMRINGA, KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO "The DRC is one of the poorest countries in the world. That's despite its vast natural resources. A recent UN report ranked the country 176th poorest out of 188. Ongoing political instability, conflict, and epidemics all affect the DRC's social and economic development. The UN estimates more than 3 million Congolese are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in several provinces affected by conflict. Widespread corruption is also a factor that contributes to extreme poverty."

PROF. NKERE NTANDA, POLITICAL SCIENCE LECTURER, UNIVERSITY OF KINSHASA "We live in a country where impunity is the rule of the day. People who are looting are not doing it in some different world. They are doing it and they are known by their superiors. But as long they are sharing it with them, they are protected."

"Professor Ntanda and other experts say the widespread corruption is affecting the DRC's investment climate. The country's economy relies heavily on mining revenue. But most of the country's population works in the informal sector. The cost of living has also been soaring as the DRC's currency weakens against the dollars. And that's all contributed to millions of Congolese struggling daily to make ends meet. Chris Ocamringa, CGTN, Kinshasa, DRC."