Attachments
Estimated affected population 500,000 people including 104,000 children
Situation overview
The recent escalation of hostilities in South Kivu has resulted in a sharp deterioration of the situation for civilians. Preliminary information indicates that at least 70 civilians have been killed and more than 80 injured since 2 December, with figures expected to rise as reports continue to be verified. Population face heightened protection risks, including family separation, attacks on civilian infrastructure, increased exposure to gender-based violence, and reduced access to essential services and humanitarian assistance.
Ongoing bombardments and the use of heavy artillery have triggered large-scale population movements. Since 1st of December, more than 500,000 people, including 104,000 children, have been newly displaced within South Kivu, with further displacement anticipated as hostilities expand to areas. The escalation has also generated significant cross-border population movements. In Burundi, authorities report at least 39,000 new arrivals from eastern DRC between 5 and 9 December. Initial assessments indicate high levels of vulnerability among new arrivals, including individuals injured during the hostilities. A temporary reception site has been established near Buganda, close to the DRC border, to accommodate and support affected populations.
In Rwanda, a smaller but notable increase in arrivals was recorded between 3 and 7 December, with approximately 1,000 individuals entering through the Bugarama crossing point in the southwest of the country. At the time of reporting, cross-border movements into Rwanda appear to have slowed.