Kinshasa: Intensifying fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has claimed more than 70 civilian lives, displaced over 200,000 people, and cut thousands off from food assistance, prompting UN warnings of a rapidly expanding humanitarian emergency spilling across borders.
According to United Nations, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the situation in South Kivu province has deteriorated sharply since 2 December due to heavy fighting across multiple territories, including Uvira, Walungu, Mwenga, Shabunda, Kabare, Fizi, and Kalehe.
Members of the armed group M23 entered the key city of Uvira on Wednesday, leading to a sense of fear and uncertainty among residents, as reported by media outlets. Radio Okapi, operated by the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO, indicated that more than 74 civilians have been killed and at least 83 wounded in clashes between Congolese forces and armed groups since early December. The station noted that thousands more hav
e fled across borders into Burundi and Rwanda.
Most of the displaced individuals inside South Kivu are sheltering in overcrowded sites, facing heightened protection risks, poor sanitation, and the growing threat of disease outbreaks. Displaced women and girls face increased risks of gender-based violence in these overcrowded shelters.
Humanitarian assistance programmes, including food aid and healthcare, have been affected by the insecurity. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has suspended operations across South Kivu, cutting off 25,000 people from life-saving food support, according to UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq. He stated that host families, already experiencing emergency levels of food insecurity, are sharing the last of their food with displaced people.
At least 32 schools in Uvira supported by WFP have halted classes to shelter displaced families, leaving more than 12,000 children without what is often their only hot daily meal. Humanitarian agencies have warned that food stocks in the area cou
ld run out within weeks if access and funding are not restored.
The humanitarian impact of the crisis is now spilling across borders, as nearly 25,000 people crossed into Burundi between 5 and 8 December, with additional arrivals reported in Rwanda. In both countries, humanitarian partners and national authorities are scaling up emergency assistance, including hot meals, safe water, and health services.
Despite diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tensions, such as the recent United States-backed peace accord signed by the DRC and Rwanda, funding shortfalls are compounding the emergency. The DRC Humanitarian Response Plan is only 22 per cent funded, leaving a gap of nearly $2 billion. In Burundi, less than $33 million has been mobilized against a requirement of almost $77 million to support new arrivals.
“We call on all parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities, uphold international humanitarian law, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and ensure safe, rapid and unimpeded humanit
arian access,” Mr. Haq urged.