Democratic Republic of Congo
Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo has forced thousands of women and children to flee their homes.
By donating to our Democratic Republic of Congo Crisis appeal, you can help provide urgent support to women and children affected by the conflict in Democratic Republic of Congo.
Over 500,000 people have been displaced since March 2022
Shelter, health and protection are in short supply
Democratic Republic of Congo facing widespread displacement
Communities have been facing ongoing conflict and attacks from armed groups. The conflict has escalated considerably since 20 October, with near-constant fighting forcing many villagers from their homes.
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The near-constant fighting has forced over 500,000 people from their homes since March 2022
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Communities are facing repeated attacks on villages, including attacks on civilians, looting and burning of shelters and homes to the ground
- Over 88 per cent of people are staying in overcrowded shelters and improvised sites, with some even sleeping outside
People forced from their homes urgently need medical services, emergency shelter, sleeping supplies, clean water and food.
Caritas Australia's partner CAFOD is on the ground responding to support communities who require immediate assistance and assessing the most urgent needs.
Your generous support to our Democratic Republic of Congo Crisis appeal can help provide emergency support to help families recover and rebuild from disaster.
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What is happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing ongoing conflict and attacks from armed groups which have been attacking villages, stealing livestock and slaughtering entire families.
Over the past year, these attacks are increasing radically in frequency, but also in violence.
Across Ituri and North Kivu provinces, hundreds of people have been killed in attacks on villages, as well as thousands of houses destroyed.
After decades of conflict:
- More than 5.6 million people have been forced from their homes – including over half a million in the past year alone
- Over 1 million have fled the country
- 26 million people are facing acute food insecurity – one of the highest numbers in the world. 15 million people facing acute insecurity are children
At the same time, the Democratic Republic of Congo hosts half a million refugees from neighbouring countries, putting further pressure on already overstretched humanitarian aid services.
“While the world is busy and nobody is looking, we have M23 occupying villages forcing people to flee en masse from their homes. We must act quickly, because in one camp there are nearly 20,000 people crammed into one place, without water, sanitation or even shelter. This is a recipe for disaster."
Why are people displaced in Democratic Republic of Congo?
The near-constant fighting has forced over 500,000 people from their homes since March 2022. Ituri and North Kivu provinces have the highest number of displaced people.
Communities are facing repeated attacks on villages, including attacks on civilians, looting and burning of shelters and homes to the ground.
Thousands of people are forced to flee after each attack, seeking safety in schools, churches and outdoor markets. Families have been separated, and many households have lost almost everything to the attacks.
Today, armed groups are attacking civilians almost daily. They are even attacking settlements where displaced people have found refuge after fleeing their homes from previous attacks.
The displaced have nowhere safe to go, and many have been displaced multiple times.
Why are there so many IDP camps in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
Communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been facing escalating conflict and displacement since the rebel militia group M23 seized a swath of the east of the country just over a year ago.
Village communities have faced ongoing attacks from armed groups in North Kivu and Ituri, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Since October 20, the conflict has escalated despite pledges for a ceasefire. It is believed that hundreds of people have been killed in attacks in villages in recent months.
Today, armed groups are attacking civilians almost daily. They are even attacking settlements where people have found refuge after fleeing their homes from previous attacks.
Families have nowhere safe to go, and many have been displaced multiple times.
What are IDP camps like in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
Nearly nine in ten people who have fled their homes are currently staying in overcrowded shelters and improvised sites, many even sleeping outside.
Between 80,000 and 100,000 people, mostly women and children, are staying in Kanyarucinya with limited access to humanitarian aid.
Caritas agencies and the WFP have distributed emergency food rations to 14,000 households in the camp, but people still do not have access to hygiene, clean drinking water, sleeping supplies, protection for children and education.
The most urgent needs on the ground at the moment are:
Emergency tents and shelter for displaced families
Access to clean water
Health support for vulnerable communities
Food rations for families
Hear from Lulu Mitshabu, our Program Coordinator for Democratic Republic of Congo, and her extraordinary story of escape from the former dictatorship of Zaire decades ago in Mamamia.
Where does my donation go?
The funds raised through our Democratic Republic of Congo Crisis appeal will be used to provide immediate and longer-term humanitarian assistance to communities affected by crises in Democratic Republic of Congo. If any funds remain after a crisis, or if there are changes in circumstances beyond our control which limit our ability to use the funds, they are kept in the Africa Regional Appeal so that we can respond to ongoing development needs and future crises in the region.