UNHCR Reports 237,000 Displaced in DRC Since 2025
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The UNHCR reported that approximately 237,000 people have been displaced in eastern DRC since the start of 2025, amidst escalating violence and military conflicts. The ongoing humanitarian crisis has led to significant civilian suffering as armed groups and government forces clash in North and South Kivu provinces.
Key Takeaways
- 237,000 displaced in DRC since 2025.
- 4.6 million internally displaced in the region.
- Intense fighting in North Kivu led to 150,000 fleeing.
- Peace summit was abruptly canceled.
- Instability continues due to M23 rebel group.
Kinshasa, Jan 17 (NationPress) Approximately 237,000 individuals have been forced from their homes since the commencement of 2025 in the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which ranks among the largest havens for those displaced within their own nation, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Friday.
The situation is worsening due to escalating confrontations between armed factions and the DRC military in North and South Kivu provinces, which already host 4.6 million internally displaced people, intensifying one of the globe's most severe yet underreported humanitarian disasters, stated UNHCR spokesperson Eujin Byun during a press conference.
From January 1 to 6, fierce clashes in the Masisi and Lubero territories of North Kivu Province compelled around 150,000 people to flee, while 84,000 individuals were displaced in South Kivu's Fizi territory, as reported by the UN agency, highlighting that civilians in both areas are suffering from indiscriminate bombings.
On Wednesday, during a cabinet meeting led by President Felix Tshisekedi, the DRC government disclosed that the military had reclaimed several key areas in eastern DRC that were previously held by the March 23 Movement rebellion.
"The DRC Armed Forces are resolute on all battlefronts to re-establish security, recover lost territories, and uphold the territorial integrity of the DRC," stated government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya late Wednesday, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.
Last month, a peace summit aimed at addressing conflicts in the DRC was abruptly canceled due to a deadlock in negotiations.
Angolan President Joao Lourenco was expected to host discussions with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame to alleviate the tensions affecting eastern DRC by facilitating an agreement among the three leaders.
This summit was part of the "Luanda Process", a peace initiative initiated in 2022 and supported by the African Union, aimed at speeding up regional stabilization.
The eastern DRC continues to grapple with instability due to the M23 rebel group, which has been gaining ground and capturing extensive territories. The DRC government blames neighboring Rwanda for providing military assistance to the M23, a claim that Kigali refutes.
While denying connections to the M23, Rwanda has accused the DRC military of cooperating with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, a Rwandan rebel faction whose members are held responsible for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
