Conflict in the DRC: What you need to know about the crisis

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing a rapidly escalating humanitarian emergency, with civilians paying the price of escalating conflict. As violence surges in Eastern DRC, displacement is soaring, crimes against humanity are being documented, and the nation’s healthcare system is overwhelmed by disease and violence.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is on the ground in the DRC, delivering emergency support to affected communities. We call for all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities and immediately allow for further scale-up of assistance.

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What is happening in the DRC?

The DRC is facing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises. Decades of conflict have fueled widespread violence, mass displacement and extreme human suffering. Most recently, escalations in conflict between the DRC and armed groups have plunged the country’s eastern region into chaos, with millions of civilians caught in the crossfire. Reports of war crimes, crimes against humanity, sexual violence and human rights violations continue to mount.

As fighting escalates millions have been left without food, clean water or medical care. Overwhelmed hospitals are struggling to cope, while the risk of disease outbreaks, including cholera, grows daily.

Urgent humanitarian assistance is needed to prevent further loss of life.

A woman sells potatoes outside of her shelter in a camp for displaced people in the DRC.

Mapendo* runs a small potato business in front of her shelter in a camp for internally displaced people near Goma, DRC. In early 2025, many such camps near Goma were destroyed amidst conflict with nonstate armed groups, displacing residents once again.

Photo: Mireille Ngwamba for the IRC

More than 7 million people displaced

Over 7 million people are displaced across the DRC, including 2.8 million in North Kivu—a province in eastern DRC where much of the recent fighting has been concentrated. Nearly 780,000 people were forced to flee their homes between November 2024 and January 2025 alone.

Displaced families are seeking refuge in overcrowded camps that lack adequate food, health services, and water and sanitation services. Meanwhile, ongoing violence has forced people infected with diseases like Mpox to flee treatment centers, increasing the risk of deadly outbreaks.

A portrait of a school-aged child in the DRC.

Providence* was displaced by conflict in the DRC and attends an IRC education program. In January 2025, programming was suspended due to severe escalations in violence.

Photo: Hugh Cunningham for the IRC

Civilians caught in the crossfire

Communities in eastern DRC are enduring horrific levels of violence. Shells have struck hospitals in Goma, DRC, killing and injuring civilians, including newborns and pregnant women. Armed groups continue to expand their control, leaving towns and villages devastated. In just five days, from January 26 to 30, over 700 people were killed and 2,800 injured.

The conflict has also triggered a surge in sexual violence and rape, putting women and girls at extreme risk. Protection services are severely limited, and survivors have little access to medical and psychological support.

A mother and son pose for a portrait outside of their home in the DRC.

Julienne* and her son, Promesse, were displaced from their home in Goma, DRC by conflict. Promesse participated in an IRC education program before it was temporarily suspended due to safety concerns.

Photo: Hugh Cunningham for the IRC

Disease outbreaks could endanger vulnerable communities

Overcrowded displacement camps, limited access to clean water and collapsing health care services have created a public health emergency in the DRC. Cholera, measles and malaria are spreading at an alarming rate, threatening thousands of lives.

“Hospitals, already overwhelmed with thousands of wounded civilians, are unable to cope with the growing medical emergency,” explains senior emergency coordinator for the IRC in the DRC, Freddy Malembe.

“The potential for mass disease outbreaks is escalating daily, exacerbating an already dire situation. Without immediate intervention, we risk a major cholera outbreak that could claim thousands of lives.”

A son stands next to his mother outside of their shelter in a camp for displaced people in the DRC.

Disease can spread quickly in camps for displaced people that lack adequate water and sanitation services. IRC teams are on the ground in the DRC providing a variety of health, sanitation and infection prevention services.

Photo: Mireille Ngwamba for the IRC

How is the IRC delivering support in the DRC?

The IRC has been delivering critical aid to crisis-affected communities in the DRC for over three decades. In response to the current humanitarian crisis, the IRC is scaling up our emergency response in collaboration with our local and international partners.

We are delivering critical services across the health, protection and WASH sectors throughout the country.

Editor's note: On December 23, 2025, the IRC suspended services in Goma, DRC due to severe escalations in violence. We are working to resume programming in the region.

Learn more about our work in the DRC.

How can I support crisis-affected communities in the DRC?

Donate: Financial contributions are key for trusted organizations like the IRC, which deliver humanitarian aid to crisis-stricken communities around the world. Your donation can help people survive, recover and rebuild their lives.