Intensified hostilities in North and South Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo are making a critical humanitarian situation even worse, forcing tens of thousands of people – many of whom had already been displaced – to flee once again. Civilians, displacement camps, hospitals and schools have been targeted, putting millions of women and girls at risk.

Access to life-saving reproductive health and protection services for women and girls is severely restricted. Even before the current escalation, three women died every hour from pregnancy and birth-related complications.

Protection risks have spiraled for women and girls. Gender-based violence has increased by 300 per cent in recent years, with two thirds of all cases occurring in the three eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri. Minimal protection and security in crowded displacement camps, food insecurity and the lack of livelihood opportunities are also increasing the risks of exploitation and abuse for women and adolescent girls.

UNFPA is working with the government and partners to provide life-saving assistance to displaced women and girls. Essential medicines and supplies have been distributed to health facilities, and midwives and mobile teams have been deployed to internally displaced persons camps, to ensure that women and girls can access maternal health services, including emergency obstetric and newborn care. Safe spaces for women and girls are being supported, as well as a hotline so that survivors of gender-based violence can access medical, psychosocial, legal and livelihood support.

Updated 29 January 2024