The humanitarian situation in South Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, 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 reportedly entered the key city of Uvira, creating widespread fear and uncertainty among residents. Media reports indicate that more than 74 civilians have been killed and at least 83 wounded in clashes between Congolese forces and armed groups since early December, while thousands more have fled across borders into Burundi and Rwanda.
Most displaced people within South Kivu are sheltering in overcrowded sites, facing heightened protection risks, poor sanitation, and growing threats of disease outbreaks. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence in these conditions. Humanitarian assistance, including food aid and healthcare, has been severely affected by the insecurity. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has suspended operations across South Kivu, cutting off life-saving food support to 25,000 people. Host families, already facing emergency levels of food insecurity, are sharing their limited resources with displaced populations. At least 32 schools in Uvira, supported by WFP, have been converted into temporary shelters, leaving over 12,000 children without their daily hot meal, which is often their only substantial food of the day. Humanitarian agencies warn that food stocks could be depleted within weeks if access and funding are not restored.
The crisis is spilling across borders, with nearly 25,000 people crossing into Burundi between 5 and 8 December, and additional arrivals reported in Rwanda. Humanitarian partners and national authorities in both countries are scaling up emergency assistance, providing hot meals, safe water, and health services. The escalation follows a United States-backed peace accord signed last week between the DRC and Rwanda, which the United Nations welcomed as a critical step toward restoring trust, though fighting has continued despite these diplomatic efforts.
Funding shortfalls are compounding the emergency. The DRC Humanitarian Response Plan is only 22 percent funded, leaving a nearly $2 billion gap, while Burundi has mobilized less than $33 million against a requirement of almost $77 million to support new arrivals. UN officials have called on all parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities, uphold international humanitarian law, protect civilians and infrastructure, and ensure safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access.
