Eastern DR Congo M23 Conflict and Crisis
Recent Developments
012026-09-29: The UN Security Council said clashes between government forces and M23 rebels continued despite peace agreements, and reported that South Kivu saw increasing use of heavy weapons and continuing displacement.
022026-10-08: New fighting broke out in Masisi, eastern DRC, as AU-linked diplomatic efforts tried to salvage the ceasefire process.
032026-10-11: Reported talks in Switzerland produced a joint statement on easing aid deliveries, prisoner releases, and ceasefire verification mechanisms between the DRC government and M23.
042026-10-11: UNHCR said new internal displacement continued to outpace returns in eastern DRC, while more than 16,400 Congolese people had fled to neighboring countries since January 2026.
Interventions
- UN ceasefire monitoring and verification missions in South Kivu and North Kivu under the UN peacekeeping and diplomatic framework.
- Humanitarian food assistance, protection, and emergency support through the 2026 response plan, though only about 50% funded as of late September 2026.
- Regional and international mediation involving Qatar, the United States, the African Union, and Swiss-hosted talks aimed at ceasefire implementation and access to aid.
What Works
- Ceasefire monitoring and verification can reduce violations when it is paired with enforceable political commitments and regular field missions.
- Rapid humanitarian access corridors and negotiated aid delivery arrangements help reach displaced people and reduce acute hunger in active conflict zones.
- Targeted assistance for displaced populations in the hardest-hit provinces, especially South Kivu and North Kivu, addresses the largest documented needs.
How to Help
- Donate to reputable humanitarian organizations responding in eastern DRC, especially agencies supporting displaced people, food aid, protection, and health services.
- Support vetted local and international NGOs providing emergency relief and protection services in North Kivu, South Kivu, and neighboring countries hosting refugees.
- Advocate for sustained diplomatic pressure, humanitarian access, and funding for the DRC response plan through elected representatives and public campaigns.
Make an Impact
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Verified Organizations
Organizations Helping(27)
Addresses the DRC emergency as one of the world’s most complex humanitarian crises by focusing on protection and assistance for displaced people and refugees. Its emergency response is aimed at people uprooted by conflict in eastern DRC and those fleeing across borders, with activities centered on protection, emergency support, and refugee assistance.
Human Rights Watch monitors and documents escalating armed conflict, political violence, attacks on civilians, indiscriminate aerial bombardments, intercommunal violence, and humanitarian crises in South Sudan through detailed investigations and reporting. They highlight civilian casualties, displacement, sexual violence, and food insecurity, while advocating for accountability, cessation of hostilities, and international action to address violations by government forces, opposition groups like SPLA-IO and NAS, and urging compliance with peace agreements.
OCHA coordinates the humanitarian response in eastern DRC by leading the Humanitarian Response Plan, mobilizing and coordinating UN and NGO partners, conducting needs and population movement analysis, advocating for unimpeded humanitarian access, and managing funding appeals to close gaps in emergency assistance (food, health, shelter, protection). OCHA also publishes situation and displacement reports that guide operational priorities and donor engagement, and facilitates cluster coordination (health, protection, WASH, etc.) to align partner activities on the ground.
NRC addresses the drought crisis in Somalia by advocating for urgent humanitarian funding and delivering field-level assistance to displaced and vulnerable households. Its response typically includes emergency shelter, water, sanitation, cash assistance, and support for people forced from their homes by drought-driven displacement, while also pushing donors to fund underfinanced response plans.
