GENEVA, Switzerland — The humanitarian crisis in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is reaching alarming new heights, with escalating violence forcing over 230,000 people to flee their homes since January, the United Nations reported on Friday.
The provinces of North and South Kivu have become the epicenter of intensifying clashes between armed groups and government forces. “The situation is deteriorating rapidly, and the scale of human suffering is unimaginable,” said Eujin Byun, spokesperson for the UNHCR, addressing journalists in Geneva.
According to Byun, the violence is driving one of the largest displacement waves in the region’s history, adding to the 4.6 million people already uprooted by years of conflict. Entire communities are being torn apart, and those seeking refuge are finding little safety as fighting spreads across once-secure areas.
Spiraling Violence in Resource-Rich Regions
North Kivu’s Masisi territory has become a flashpoint in the crisis. In the first week of January alone, intense fighting displaced 150,000 people. Many fled to Masisi-Center, only to be caught in fresh violence days later. Reports from the region describe families fleeing multiple times, struggling to survive under dire conditions.
The conflict is compounded by the involvement of the M23 group, which Kinshasa has labeled a terrorist organization. Their resurgence has led to significant territorial gains in recent years, including the strategic capture of Masisi. The area’s wealth of natural resources has long fueled rivalries, but now it serves as a backdrop to increasing human rights abuses.
Humanitarian Efforts Strained
South Kivu’s Fizi territory is also grappling with widespread displacement, with local reports estimating that over 80,000 people have fled their homes. Civilians face indiscriminate attacks, bombings, and alarming levels of sexual violence. The use of heavy weaponry has left children and other vulnerable populations disproportionately affected.
Meanwhile, aid organizations are struggling to reach those in need. “Roadblocks, armed groups, and insecurity have made delivering essential supplies nearly impossible,” Byun stated. “We are seeing families without food, clean water, or even basic shelter.”
Funding Gap Threatens Relief Operations
The UNHCR has reiterated its readiness to scale up support, but efforts are being hampered by a critical funding shortfall. Of the $226 million required for aid operations in DRC this year, less than 10% has been secured.
“The world cannot continue to overlook this crisis,” Byun stressed. “We need international support to prevent this situation from spiraling further out of control.”
The Human Toll
For those displaced, survival is an ongoing battle. Makeshift shelters are overcrowded, and the lack of medical care is fueling disease outbreaks. Many have reported being subjected to forced recruitment by armed groups, while others remain trapped in areas under active conflict.
The UNHCR is urging global leaders to step up, not only with funding but also with diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the violence. As the crisis in eastern DRC deepens, the world’s attention is needed more than ever to alleviate the suffering and work toward a lasting resolution.
