Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

DR Congo + 4 more

West and Central Africa: Latest events at a glance (14 - 20 January 2025)

Attachments

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Violence in Masisi, North Kivu, has spread to Kalehe, South Kivu

On 18 January, fighting between a non-state armed group (NSAG) and state security forces along the Bweremana – Kalehe axis led to the NSAG taking control of Lumbishi in Kalehe territory, South Kivu province, in the east of the country. Clashes in Kalehe territory, including Minova centre, have deteriorated the security and humanitarian situation. Over 33,000 new internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been registered in Minova health zone since the beginning of January, bringing the total IDP population in Kalehe territory to about 485,000. This influx is straining local communities and social services. Risks include mass displacement to inaccessible areas and increased gender-based violence. Over 90 schools are occupied by IDPs, disrupting the education of thousands of school-age children. The humanitarian response capacity is limited.

Niger

Over 2 million people at risk of food insecurity during the lean season

In Niger, 2.2 million people are projected to be acutely food insecure (phases 3 to 5) in twelve areas during the lean season, from June to August 2025. This is lower than last year’s 3.2 million, but still critical, with 6.2 million people under pressure (phase 2). Currently, 1.5 million people are food insecure. severe acute malnutrition affects more than 1.6 million children, including 412,400 severe cases. Urgent humanitarian assistance is needed to meet these food and nutritional needs.

Central African Republic

South Sudanese asylum seekers put pressure on Mboki’s education system

Since late 2024, Mboki town, in the Haut-Mbomou prefecture, southeastern Central African Republic (CAR), has welcomed several South Sudanese asylum seekers. Most of them are housed in school buildings. This has significantly reduced the number of classrooms available for students, forcing a rotation system for around 200 students. There is also a shortage of desks and benches, some of which have reportedly been used as firewood. The local authorities offered South Sudanese asylum seekers the opportunity to stay with some host families and gave them until 20 January to vacate the premises. While some have been accommodated by host families, others, particularly the elderly, have nowhere else to go.

Côte d’Ivoire

The influx of Burkinabè populations fleeing the crisis in the Sahel has increased pressure on natural resources and the risk of tensions in Bounkani region

The Bounkani region in eastern Côte d'Ivoire, bordering Burkina Faso, intercommunal tensions, exacerbated by competition for natural resources affected by climate change, threaten the peaceful coexistence of farmers and herders. Increased transhumance has put further pressure on natural resources and increased the risk of tensions, especially with the influx of Burkinabè populations fleeing the crisis in the Sahel. A 2024 IOM transhumance mapping estimated 173,540 cross-border livestock and 2,491 herders, with additional internal movements. Initiatives like the Transhumance Monitoring Tool and an Early Warning System have monitored these tensions. Between September and December 2024, 115 alerts were reported in nine sub-prefectures, including agro-pastoral tensions, cattle theft, crop damage and early/late movements.

Disclaimer

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.