DRC

05 January 2026

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) forces and the March 23 Movement have been engaged in intensified armed clashes around Uvira town (Sud-Kivu) since early December 2025, triggering large-scale displacement into Burundi. By 28 December, 101,000 individuals from eastern DRC had arrived through the Buganda, Gatumba, and Rumonge border points. Crossings have continued into January 2026, sustaining pressure on reception and transit capacities. The influx is heightening public health, nutrition, and protection concerns in Burundi. Rising food insecurity and limited WASH access are increasing malnutrition and disease risks, particularly among children. Protection incidents include cases of unaccompanied and separated children and heightened exposure to gender-based violence, exploitation, and abuse. Amid a cholera outbreak, insufficient diagnostic capacity, limited inpatient facilities, and weak referral systems are aggravating morbidity and mortality. Humanitarian priorities include improving mobile health and nutrition services, disease surveillance, WASH infrastructure, and decongestion measures at entry and transit sites. (RFI 04/01/2026, RFI 01/01/2026, (Govt. Burundi/UNHCR 28/12/2025, UNICEF 05/01/2025)

09 December 2025

Renewed violence in Sud-Kivu has displaced over 200,000 people from Kamanyola, Katogota, and Luvungi localities since 2 December 2025. Clashes between the Congolese army, Wazalendo militias, and the March 23 Movement have killed at least 70 people and injured 80. Displaced families are staying in overcrowded shelters, with limited healthcare access amid a nurses’ strike and heightened risks of gender-based violence and disease outbreaks, including cholera and measles. The fighting persists despite a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed on 4 December, spilling over to Burundi, where 3,000 people are facing overcrowded and fragile conditions at the Cishemere transit centre in Cibitoke province – well beyond its capacity. Violence is disrupting education, with nearly 1,300 schools in Sud-Kivu nonfunctional and learning disrupted for over 390,000 children by 4 December. Armed presence near schools, infrastructure attacks, and unexploded ordnance further threaten children’s safety. (OCHA 09/12/2025, OCHA 08/12/2025, Education Cluster 08/12/2025)

04 November 2025

Armed conflict persists in Nord-Kivu province despite renewed peace efforts, with clashes between the March 23 Movement (M23), the Congolese army (FARDC), and allied Wazalendo militias intensifying territorial competition. In September 2025, fighting continued across Masisi, Rutshuru, and Walikale territories, causing further displacement. More than 1,300 protection incidents were reported that month – including killings, abductions, and sexual violence – mirroring the high levels recorded in August and highlighting sustained protection risks for civilians. By October, Nord-Kivu was hosting over 1,152,000 IDPs, a slight decrease from August partly linked to population movements following M23’s advances into Goma and surrounding areas earlier in the year, which initially triggered large-scale displacement but later saw many people returning to their areas of origin. Displaced populations continue to face severe needs amid limited humanitarian response capacity. (Protection Cluster 20/10/2025, Critical Threats 29/10/2025, IOM 21/10/2025)

06 October 2025

Worsening health conditions are compounding humanitarian needs in the Democratic Republic of Congo. There is an active cholera outbreak across 17 provinces, with over 41,000 suspected cases and nearly 1,500 deaths since January 2025. After a confirmed death, the Ministry of Health also declared an Ebola outbreak in Kasaï Central on 3 October. Mpox cases also continue to rise, with more than 3,000 suspected cases this year. Displacement, poor WASH infrastructure, and limited access to healthcare are accelerating the spread of disease. (WHO 03/10/2025, Mercy Corps 02/10/2025, WFP 26/09/2025)

08 September 2025

Health authorities have declared a new Ebola virus disease outbreak in Kasaï province, with 28 suspected cases and 16 deaths, including four health workers, by 5 September 2025. The outbreak centres are in remote areas with poor access and weak infrastructure, complicating containment. While the Democratic Republic of Congo has experience controlling past outbreaks, the risk of undetected transmission remains high. (WHO 05/09/2025, IOM 05/09/2025, IMC 04/09/2025)

15 July 2025

A cholera outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has intensified, with nearly 33,000 cases and over 700 deaths reported by July since January 2025. The northeastern province of Tshopo is the most affected, while Kinshasa’s health zones are experiencing weekly surges linked to poor hygiene and recent floods. (RFI 11/07/2025, DW 10/07/2025, WHO 17/06/2025)

15 July 2025

Armed violence continues to escalate in eastern DRC, driving displacement and worsening humanitarian access. In Ituri, the Allied Democratic Forces – a non-state armed group – killed at least 66 civilians in Irumu territory between 9–12 July. This comes after a surge of attacks in June, which caused over 9,000 people to flee their homes in Djugu. In South Kivu, clashes between the March 23 Movement and Congolese army forces, supported by allied fighters, opened a new front of hostilities near the town of Uvira, displacing 40,000 people in the surrounding Uvira territory. In North Kivu province, civilians face growing protection risks, including arbitrary arrests by state forces, forced recruitment by non-state armed groups, and having to carry supplies such as food and ammunition for these groups. These abuses are particularly common in the territories of Lubero, Masisi, and Walikale. Armed group activities and insecurity continue to restrict humanitarian access and increase humanitarian needs.(OCHA 15/07/2025, DW 11/07/2025, RFI 15/07/2025)