Escalating Violence in DRC Sparks Humanitarian Crisis Amid Refugee Returns
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is grappling with a deepening humanitarian crisis as violence escalates between rebel groups and government forces, forcing thousands of Congolese refugees to return home to precarious conditions. Since the reopening of the Burundi-DRC border on February 23, over 33,000 refugees have crossed back into the DRC, only to face overcrowded settlements, destroyed homes, and severe shortages of essential services.
The situation has been exacerbated by intensifying clashes between the AFC and M23 rebel groups and forces aligned with the Kinshasa government. Drone strikes and heavy weaponry have devastated civilian infrastructure, particularly in densely populated areas like Goma, North Kivu’s largest city. Vivian van de Perre, Deputy Special Representative for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), described the humanitarian situation as “extremely volatile” during a March 26 press briefing.
“The rapid spread of violence from North and South Kivu into Tshopo Province and toward Burundi’s borders raises the risk of a broader regional conflagration,” she warned.
Returning to Ruins
Many returnees, who had fled to Burundi during the December 2025 escalation of hostilities, are now returning to find their homes destroyed and livelihoods shattered. Ali Mahamat, UNHCR Head of Sub-Office in Goma, highlighted the dire conditions during a March 24 press briefing in Geneva. “Families are arriving with few belongings, urgently needing shelter, healthcare, and access to water and sanitation,” he said.
Initial assessments by UNHCR in Uvira and Fizi reveal that many returnees are living in damaged shelters, with over 60 percent unable to access their land. Women-headed households are disproportionately affected, facing heightened risks of gender-based violence, exploitation, and forced recruitment into armed groups.
Human Rights Violations on the Rise
The United Nations Joint Human Rights Office in the DRC (UNJHRO) has documented a sharp increase in human rights abuses by armed groups since December 2025. At least 173 cases of conflict-related sexual violence have been reported, primarily affecting women and girls. Van de Perre described these cases as “only the tip of the iceberg,” noting that exploitation is rampant, particularly in artisanal mining sites where child labor is prevalent.
Armed groups are also obstructing monitoring and justice mechanisms, intimidating human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society actors, and subjecting them to arbitrary detention.
Regional Implications
The crisis is not confined to the DRC. Burundi, which currently hosts over 109,000 Congolese refugees, is struggling to cope with the influx. The Busama displacement camp, home to approximately 67,000 refugees, faces severe overcrowding and inadequate access to clean water, healthcare, and shelter. Meanwhile, internal displacement within the DRC has reached staggering levels, with over 6.4 million people displaced, nearly 5.2 million of whom are concentrated in North and South Kivu and Ituri provinces.
Food insecurity is another pressing concern, with 26.6 million people—a quarter of the DRC’s population—expected to face hunger this year.
Funding Shortfalls
The UNHCR’s response plan to assist returnees, refugees, and displaced civilians remains severely underfunded, with only 34 percent of the required $145 million secured. Despite this, MONUSCO continues to provide crucial protection services, supporting nearly 3,000 civilians in Djaiba village and enabling 18,000 farmers to harvest and transport crops.
Van de Perre emphasized that stronger governance and security enforcement are essential to protect vulnerable civilians. “Disarmament and repatriation efforts must be prioritized to address broader regional tensions,” she said.
As the crisis worsens, the international community faces mounting pressure to step up its response. Without immediate action, the humanitarian situation in the DRC—and its ripple effects across the region—could spiral further out of control.
— Reported by Nexio News
