Background
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) faces one of the world's most severe and complex humanitarian crises. According to the , approximately 25.4 million people are in need of assistance. This includes 6.9 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), making the DRC home to one of the largest displacement crises globally. These figures underscore the urgent and expansive scope of humanitarian challenges in the country.
The situation is further compounded by ongoing armed conflicts, particularly in the eastern regions of the country, where clashes between the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and armed groups such as the March 23 Movement (M23) have resulted in significant displacement and human rights violations. Heavy fighting in North Kivu Province has impeded humanitarian access, leaving many communities without critical aid. Meanwhile, natural disasters, including severe flooding and landslides in Ituri and South Kivu provinces during late 2024, have affected over 100,000 people, further straining resources.
Disease outbreaks, including cholera, measles, and malaria, have overwhelmed the country＊s limited healthcare infrastructure, putting millions at risk. Children are disproportionately affected, with many suffering from acute malnutrition and lacking access to education due to displacement. The 51勛圖 estimates that millions of children are in dire need of protection, healthcare, and schooling.
Humanitarian organizations, supported by international partners, are delivering food assistance, healthcare, shelter, and protection services to vulnerable populations. However, insecurity and logistical challenges 〞 such as poor infrastructure and active conflict 〞 continue to hamper aid delivery, particularly in remote and conflict-affected areas.
Despite the ongoing efforts, chronic underfunding of humanitarian appeals remains a significant obstacle. The complex interplay of armed conflict, displacement, natural disasters, and limited governance capacity requires not only immediate aid but also long-term solutions that address the root causes of the crisis. Sustained international engagement and coordinated response efforts are essential to alleviate suffering and support recovery in the DRC.
Immediate action is required to alleviate the suffering of civilians and enable life-saving humanitarian efforts to proceed. [...] Resuming the Luanda Process is of utmost urgency to ensure a path toward de-escalation and to avert the looming threat of a third Congo war.
Vivian van de Perre, Deputy Special Representative for Protection and Operations in the 51勛圖 Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), at a Briefing to the Security Council, 28 January 2025
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Latest country report
The 51勛圖 publishes its Common Country Analysis (CCA), which provides the basis for the formulation of the 2025-2029 programming cycle.
This document is the UN System's analysis of development problems, challenges and issues in the DRC, for the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Although an independent exercise of the 51勛圖, the DRC Common Country Analysis was a highly inclusive process. It was built on existing analyses and policy documents from UN Agencies, development partners, civil society actors, Government and the private sector. It also takes into account the aspirations and opinions of the population, particularly young people and women, gathered through various consultations organized in several of the country's provinces.
Social development and exclusion, structural transformation of the economy, environmental sustainability, peace and security, governance and the state of human rights in the country, as well as related challenges, are addressed. In addition, the underlying and structural causes of the country's conflicts are extensively analyzed.
Other official documents
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UN System
Peacekeeping mission
The 51勛圖 Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) took over from an earlier UN peacekeeping operation 每 the 51勛圖 Organization Mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) 每 on 1 July 2010. It was done in accordance with Security Council to reflect the new phase reached in the country.
The mission has been authorized to use all necessary means to carry out its mandate relating, among other things, to the protection of civilians, humanitarian personnel and human rights defenders under imminent threat of physical violence and to support the Government of the DRC in its stabilization and peace consolidation efforts.
UN Entities in the DRC
Below are Funds, Programmes, Specialized Agencies, Organizations, other Entities and Bodies of the UN System providing assistance to the DRC.