Attachments
Covering Period: 22 February — 4 March 2025
Highlights
- The humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC continues to deteriorate due to intensifying armed conflict between the FARDC and M23 rebels, displacing over 700,000 people since January 2025.
- Women and girls are at severe risk due to increasing security threats and gender-based violence.
- UNFPA urgently requires US$18 million to sustain life-saving reproductive health and protection services for women, girls and youth.
- UNFPA has activated a Level 3 (L3) emergency response, the highest level of humanitarian response within the UN system, enabling UNFPA to scale up operations, enhance coordination, and mobilize critical resources to meet the urgent needs of affected people.
Situation Overview
Since December 2024, intensified clashes between the FARDC and M23 rebels in North and South Kivu have worsened the humanitarian crisis, displacing over 700,000 people since January 2025. In February, Ugandan troops (UPDF) were deployed to support the FARDC in Ituri province, further altering security dynamics. Fighting continues in Kamanyola (South Kivu) and Lubero Centre (North Kivu), triggering mass displacement. Cross-border movements have increased, with an estimated 65,000 people crossing into Burundi, while many others have fled to Beni, Kyondo, and Kyavinyonge in Grand North, North Kivu. In Goma and Petit North, North Kivu, the new de facto authority (AFC/M23) has restricted civilian movement. Escalating insecurity has disrupted humanitarian operations, prompting the temporary relocation of some staff from Goma and Bukavu to safer areas. UNFPA is working with UNDSS to monitor security conditions and facilitate the gradual return of staff to support program implementation.
The crisis has disrupted humanitarian operations, causing suspension of activities in conflict-affected areas, interrupting vital supplies for pregnant women and gender-based violence survivors. UNFPA is working in support of the government, and with local partners to ensure continuity of response.
Impact on healthcare
Approximately 27 health facilities have been destroyed in Goma and Bukavu, leaving only three operational hospitals in the Kivus, all of which are severely overstretched and facing critical shortages of medical supplies, staff, and fuel for ambulances. The lack of electricity is further hampering operations, restricting the use of respirators, anesthesia machines, oxygen production units, and proper medication storage. On February 28, armed fighters attacked Ndosho Hospital and Heal Africa Hospital in Goma, reportedly abducting 116 patients from the former and 15 from the latter. Insecurity has severely limited access to health services, particularly for vulnerable populations, including pregnant women.