Over 230,000 Displaced Amid Rising Violence in DR Congo

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed grave concern over escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has displaced more than 230,000 people since the beginning of the year.

Clashes between non-governmental armed groups and the Congolese army in North and South Kivu provinces have intensified, exacerbating one of the world’s most underreported humanitarian crises.

These regions are already home to 4.6 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), making the DRC one of the countries with the largest internally displaced populations globally.

From January 1 to 6, heavy fighting in Masisi and Lubero territories in North Kivu forced nearly 150,000 people to flee.

In South Kivu’s Fizi territory, local authorities reported that 84,000 individuals have been displaced, prompting an urgent appeal for international humanitarian assistance.

The ongoing violence has significantly restricted humanitarian access, leaving displaced communities in dire need of shelter, food, clean water, and medical care.

Many of those displaced have sought refuge in overcrowded host communities, makeshift shelters, or public buildings such as hospitals. Already dire living conditions are deteriorating rapidly, according to UNHCR.

The UNHCR highlights the widespread human rights violations and mass forced displacements caused by the conflict, underscoring the urgent need for international attention and intervention.

The crisis in the DRC remains one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges globally, requiring immediate and sustained support from the global community.