Ongoing violent clashes in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) North Kivu province have forced more than 100,000 individuals to flee their homes since the start of 2025, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence, according to a recent statement from UN Humanitarian Coordinator Bruno Lemarquis.
The violence, primarily between the M23 rebel group and the Congolese army, has escalated in the Masisi territory, part of the North Kivu province. More than 2.8 million people are currently displaced in the region, representing over a third of the province’s population. Among the displaced, women and children are the most vulnerable, enduring the devastating effects of the conflict.
Lemarquis emphasized the alarming increase in civilian casualties and the displacement of thousands of people. He also condemned the violation of humanitarian principles, pointing out that the ongoing violence has not spared Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps. Despite the protected nature of these sites, many have been directly targeted, exacerbating the crisis. “Humanitarian workers are also paying a heavy toll, with nine aid workers killed in 2024 alone, alongside hundreds of incidents directly affecting humanitarian operations,” he noted.
The violence comes amid the intensification of rebel activity, not only from M23 but also from other armed groups operating in the region. Despite a ceasefire agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, which was brokered as part of the Luanda process in August 2024, hostilities have continued, undermining peace efforts and further destabilizing the area. Lemarquis has strongly urged all parties involved to respect international humanitarian law and the rights of civilians, reiterating that humanitarian workers and essential infrastructure must remain protected.
As the humanitarian crisis deepened, the UN official expressed grave concern over the worsening conditions in North Kivu and called for immediate action to address the suffering of the displaced population and prevent further escalation of the violence.
