West and Central Africa

Democratic Republic of the Congo

A mother and her child sit outside their makeshift shelter at the Lushagala displacement site in Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A mother and her child sit outside their makeshift shelter at the Lushagala displacement site in Goma, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The site, which hosts more than 71,000 people, provides refuge to families fleeing ongoing hostilities. Photo: OCHA/Wassy Kambale
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The crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to deteriorate rapidly, with escalating armed conflict driving mass displacement and exacerbating humanitarian needs. The M23 armed group now controls Goma following intense clashes with the Congolese army, that forced hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee.

Across the country, more than 21 million people already required humanitarian aid before the latest escalation of the crisis, one of the highest figures worldwide. Approximately one million have sought refuge in neighbouring countries, while escalating violence in the east threatens to deepen the crisis.

Since early January, escalating conflict and intensified M23 attacks in North and South Kivu, has displaced hundreds of thousands, worsening the humanitarian crisis and straining already scarce resources. The violence has killed hundreds and injured thousands, while road closures and insecurity further restrict humanitarian access.

 The situation in and around North Kivu’s capital Goma – where 700,000 people were already displaced –  remains very fluid. M23’s advances into South Kivu is creating a dangerous security vacuum, forcing displaced people to flee once again as their camps are destroyed. Summary executions and cases of sexual and gender-based violence are being reported.  The Goma airport remains closed. Most of the roads connecting the city to the rest of the country are inaccessible and lake transportation is not a viable option due to restrictions imposed by M23.

Approximately 2.7 million people were already facing severe food insecurity in North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri. Humanitarian infrastructure and warehouses have been looted, severely compromising the humanitarian response. Large quantities of food, medicine, and essential medical supplies have been lost in targeted attacks on UN agencies and humanitarian non-governmental organizations. 

Despite the challenging conditions, humanitarian actors continue to enable life-saving operations by negotiating access and providing urgent medical care, food assistance and other essential aid. Rapid, unimpeded, and safe humanitarian access to those in need must be facilitated, and all impediments should be removed.

The security situation in the east is expected to remain highly precarious in 2025, with ongoing violence in Nord-Kivu, South Kivi and Ituri provinces further restricting humanitarian access. Continued displacement and growing humanitarian needs will place additional pressure on response efforts, particularly as the M23 group's advances intensify, and the risks for a regional conflict increase.

While conflict remains the primary driver of the humanitarian crisis, the country also faces severe food insecurity. DRC has 25.5 million suffering from severe food insecurity – the highest number of people globally. One in two children under five is affected by chronic malnutrition, highlighting the urgent need for sustained food assistance and nutritional support.

In response to the worsening humanitarian situation in the east, the Central Emergency Response Fund has allocated US$17 million for immediate life-saving interventions to affected people. Without additional resources, response efforts are severely hampered, and operational capacity is significantly reduced.

Before the latest escalation, the UN and its humanitarian partners required $2.54 billion to provide lifesaving assistance to 11 million people in 2025. While financial requirements remain nearly unchanged from 2024, the number of people identified for receiving assistance has increased significantly.

The number reflects a more focused response plan that prioritizes those directly affected by conflict, extreme weather events and epidemics.

Overview of the humanitarian response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

For a full overview of the humanitarian response, visit humanitarianaction.info
People in need
21.2M 2025
People to be covered by assistance
11M 2025
Total requirements (USD)
2.5B 2025
Total requirements (USD)
2.5B 2025
Funding total (USD)
170.8M 2025
Funding coverage (%)
6.73 2025

The Democratic Republic of the Congo Humanitarian Fund

The Democratic Republic of Congo Humanitarian Fund (DRC HF) which was established in 2006, is a rapid and flexible funding mechanism supporting national and international NGOs and UN agencies, to respond to the most pressing or critical emergencies in a fast-changing environment. Under the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator for the Democratic Republic of Congo, the DRC HF supports the timely allocation and disbursement of donor resources to the most critical humanitarian needs defined in the Humanitarian Response Plan.

Resources

Funding for OCHA Democratic Republic of the Congo

Total requirements (USD)
15.1M 2025
Opening balance (USD)
0 2025
Earmarked funding (USD)
0 2025
Total (USD)
0 2025