Crisis in Democratic Republic of the Congo: How to help

Violence began to escalate in the eastern DRC provinces of North and South Kivu in 2022 and reached a new high in 2025. Some of the heaviest fighting took place last year around the cities of Goma, Masisi, and Bukavu. This led to further displacement, in many cases multiple times over, and the closure of several key centers for IDPs.

The fighting also interrupted humanitarian response and deepened levels of need. Amid the violence, shops, public markets, and warehouses (including Concern’s) were looted. Markets were temporarily closed, and Goma Airport, a major hub for humanitarian aid in the area, has remained out of service for over a year. Local banks also remain closed, leaving many civilians without cash in a deepening economic crisis (including steep price increases and rising inflation).

» Learn more about the crisis in DRC

The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that 14.9 million people in DRC will require humanitarian aid in 2026. This figure is lower than 2025’s estimate of 21.2 million people, but it does not mean that the situation has improved.

Amid funding shortfalls, NGOs have been forced to focus on a narrower scope of risk factors and a narrower area of the country where the severity levels are at their highest. In other areas of the DRC, however, needs are still significant, with other organizations trying to meet them through other, non-emergency initiatives.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) estimates that 26.6 million people will face crisis levels of hunger (or higher) between now and June, a figure that represents 22% of the country. Of this 26.6 million, nearly 4 million will be pushed to emergency levels of hunger — one step above crisis and one step below famine.

» Learn more about hunger in the DRC

The DRC’s health system is at a breaking point with clinics underfunded, underresourced, and overwhelmed. Conflict, displacement, and natural disasters are furthering recurring outbreaks of preventable and treatable diseases. Measles, cholera, malaria, Ebola, and mpox continue to spread, especially in areas where vaccinations and medicines are in short supply. For children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people already weakened by malnutrition, these illnesses can quickly become life-threatening.