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

DR Congo

WFP Flash Report: Crisis in Eastern DRC no.2, January 2025

Attachments

WFP is deeply concerned about the escalating violence in North and South Kivu, which has displaced more than 700,000 people in the city of Goma in January. In 2024, over 3 million people were forced to flee their homes in eastern DRC, creating an unprecedented protection crisis.

The ongoing humanitarian emergency in eastern DRC has deteriorated drastically as by the last week of January, the March 23 movement non state armed group (M23) had moved into Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu. Active combat between the Congolese armed forces and the rebel group is now within North Kivu and South Kivu.

The armed clashes are threatening security for inhabitants of the city including residents, internally displaced people and humanitarians working in and around eastern DRC. Thousands of displaced people sheltering close to Goma have had to flee for safety as heavy bombing and shelling struck close to the camps due to the proximity of military installations to IDP camps.

There are thousands of people from displaced camps now mostly residing with host communities while others create new centres in schools and other shelters.

It is also expected that host communities in Goma not just the internally displaced will also have significant humanitarian needs as they have been equally affected.

The crossfire also damaged several infrastructures in the process. Water and electricity have been cut off within the city and phone and internet access is sporadic. This has resulted in massive civil unrest with excessive looting and pillaging of public and private entities. WFP and other non-governmental organisations’ warehouses have reported significant looting. Coupled with severed access to the city, food and other essential supplies are almost depleted. The scarcity of these commodities is also hiking prices making food accessibility even harder for people who need it.

Massive violations of International Humanitarian Law have been reported, including documented cases of sexual violence perpetrated by armed elements.

Forced recruitment into armed groups and incidences of gender-based violence have also been rampant. The lack of food and other essential commodities also increases protection risks as vulnerable groups particularly women and girls resort to negative coping mechanisms.

Health facilities are also overwhelmed by the high number of casualties requiring treatment. The hospitals also must grapple with the multitude of diseases already prevalent in the country (mpox, cholera, measles, malaria, malnutrition). With no water in the city, people are forced to use unsafe water, exposing thousands of people to the major health risks.

WFP Operations

Considering the spread of conflict and armed violence across North and South Kivu, WFP is pausing its operations in areas in or close to the frontlines to ensure the safety of the people it serves and its staff.

WFP is prepositioning stocks based on available resources to resume as soon as the situation allows given that the immediate needs will be great.

WFP is focused on supporting the 7.1 million most vulnerable women, men, and children in DRC who depend on us for lifesaving and life-changing support in 2025.

While operations are ongoing elsewhere in the country, we aim to resume delivering critical assistance as soon as circumstances allow.

WFP requires USD 410 million to provide live-saving food and nutrition assistance in DRC.

The people of the DRC deserve peace— peace for their children, peace for their communities, and peace for their future.