The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has issued an urgent appeal for $1.4 billion in humanitarian aid. This funding is desperately needed to support millions of citizens caught in the crossfire between the national army and M23 rebels.
The call for assistance comes at a critical time as the nation grapples with a massive displacement crisis and a sharp decline in international financial support.
A Nation in Motion: Displacement Statistics
According to Bruno Lemarchand, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the DRC, the scale of the internal migration is staggering. Persistent conflict has forced millions to flee their homes, while others are attempting to return to unstable regions.
- Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs): Currently, 5.3 million people are displaced within the country’s borders.
- Recent Returnees: Approximately 4.1 million people have recently returned to their homes, including three million in 2025 alone, primarily due to the M23 crisis.
The Financial and Security Breaking Point
The humanitarian response is facing a “double blow” of disappearing funds and extreme physical danger. Lemarchand highlighted a significant and abrupt decline in funding over the past few months, which has forced many aid organizations to cease operations entirely.
The Human Cost to Aid Workers
Operating in the DRC has become increasingly lethal for those trying to help:
- Fatalities: In 2025, 13 humanitarian workers lost their lives.
- Incidents: There were roughly 700 security incidents targeting aid workers last year.
- Legal Violations: Persistent breaches of international humanitarian law and human rights continue to hinder relief efforts.
Triple Shocks: Conflict, Climate, and Disease
Ève Bazaiba, Minister of Social Affairs and Humanitarian Action, explained that the government is fighting a battle on three distinct fronts. The DRC is not only managing the fallout of the M23 conflict but is also dealing with climate hazards and widespread epidemics.
“We ourselves have gone into the field and seen NGOs packing up and shutting down because there are no longer enough resources,” Bazaiba stated, emphasizing the government’s struggle to support both internal IDPs and citizens who have fled to neighboring countries as refugees.
Background: The M23 Insurgency
The M23 rebel group resumed its insurgency in 2021. The United Nations has previously accused Rwanda of supporting the group—a claim that has fueled regional tensions. The violence reached a devastating peak in 2025, claiming an estimated 7,000 lives.
