UNFPA DRC Situation Report - 27 January 2025

Fighting between Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) in North and South Kivu has intensified since December 2024, causing massive displacement and a humanitarian crisis. Recent fighting near Goma has displaced 400,000 people in three weeks, adding to the over four million already displaced. The M23's capture of Minova and Sake threatens Goma's supply routes, causing panic and restricted movement. Access to health and social services, especially for IDPs, is severely reduced. The escalating conflict increases GBV risk and disrupts PSEA networks. UN agencies have scaled down operations, considering evacuation and work-from-home modalities. Information on the conflict remains unreliable, hindering safety and security for staff. UNFPA has reduced its footprint in Goma, suspended travel to IDP sites, and halted non-critical visits.

UNFPA is working with the Government to ensure continuity of essential SRH and GBV prevention and response services in the internally displaced people’s camps, through initiatives including seven mobile clinics around Goma, community-based distribution of family planning commodities, three static health facilities around eight displacement camps, referral services for emergency obstetric care, support to five safe spaces, and one GBV hotline. However, the fluidity of the situation requires rapid adaptation to address disruptions and respond to the needs of the newly displaced.

UNFPA leads the GBV Area of Responsibility (AoR), a coordination mechanism addressing GBV survivors' needs in conflict areas, by providing technical guidance and capacity-building support to partners. The GBV AoR will prioritize updating referral pathways between health, legal, psychosocial, and protection services. UNFPA also leads the SRH Working Group and supports the Accountability to Affected People / Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse working group and network, coordinating over 34 SRH organizations. However, high security concerns have reduced mobility, affecting coordination, technical, and field support, and hindering service delivery and access.