DRC

10 October 2023

Since 1 October 2023, clashes between the 23 March Movement (M23) and several pro-government non-state armed groups have intensified in Masisi and Rutshuru territories (North Kivu). The violence has killed at least 20 people and injured 30 others, while more than 84,000 have fled to other locations in the province. Insecurity considerably limits access to affected areas, suspending humanitarian activities and delaying humanitarian assistance for thousands of people. The violence is likely to continue in the coming weeks. The needs of the newly displaced have not yet been reported, but they likely include shelter, food and NFIs, healthcare, and education. The increase in the number of displaced people will heighten the needs in Masisi territory, which was hosting over 335,000 IDPs before the recent clashes.
(OCHA 09/10/2023, News24 09/10/2023)

12 June 2023

On 12 June, over 45 people were killed in an attack against civilians in the Lala displacement site in Djugu territory (Ituri province). The attack was attributed to the Coopérative pour le Développement du Congo, a coalition of militia groups. Several shelters were burnt and property looted during the attack. Most urgent IDP needs include shelter, food, and psychosocial support for those traumatised during the attack. (UNHCR 12/06/2023, MONUSCO 12/06/2023, RFI 12/06/2023)

20 May 2023

A spike in gender-based violence was reported in North Kivu, with a 37% increase in cases during the first quarter of 2023. Sexual violence has increased significantly in IDP sites hosting people displaced by violence involving various armed groups and the Congolese army. Since March 2022, 1.2 million people have been displaced in North Kivu, with nearly 600,000 sheltering in IDP sites. They are living in overcrowded sites with a lack of access to resources, including a critical food shortage. Women and children are most affected by gender-based violence, often attacked while searching for firewood, food, and safe drinking water. In the last two weeks of April, health providers treated nearly 700 victims across six IDP sites – a rate of 48 cases per day, with the majority of incidents occurring within 48 hours of the victim seeking treatment. These figures represent reported cases, and numbers are likely higher.

(UNICEF 18/05/2023, MSF 09/05/2023, USAID 19/05/2023)

07 May 2023

As at 7 May 2023, at least 400 people had died as a result of floods and landslides following heavy rains on 2–4 May in Kalehe territory (South Kivu). Around 3,000 houses were damaged or destroyed. The most urgent needs for those affected include medical care, food, and shelter assistance. (BBC 08/05/2023, RFI 07/05/2023, OCHA 07/05/2023)

21 March 2023

Since the start of March 2023, an unknown number of people have been killed in attacks by armed men in Kwamouth territory (Maï-Ndombe province). The same area experienced intercommunal violence between June–October 2022, which resulted in the deaths of around 200 people.

Following the latest attacks by armed men, several civilians have died, while others are still missing. The armed men appear to be from Kwamouth territory and operate in the Congo River area.

At least 2,500 people have fled Kwamouth to several villages in Kwango province as a result of the increase in violence. They add to more than 30,000 people already displaced by intercommunal violence in Kwamouth, with urgent needs for assistance in shelter, nutrition, food, NFIs, and healthcare.

Most of the newly displaced live in public buildings, such as schools and churches, and with host families. The number of IDPs is likely to increase in the coming weeks as sporadic attacks are still taking place.
(Radio Okapi 19/03/2023, Radio Okapi 17/07/2023,RFI 21/03/2023, Actualité 18/03/2023)

10 March 2023

Over 340 cases of sexual violence against women and girls have been documented since the beginning of 2023 in Kanyaruchinya and Munigi localities (Nyiragongo territory). The victims, most of whom fled the clashes between the March 23 Movement and the Congolese army in North Kivu province, urgently need protection and health assistance, including psychological support.
(Actualité 28/02/2023, MONUSCO 28/02/2023, Radio Okapi 28/02/2023)