The humanitarian crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has significantly worsened, particularly in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri, following an escalation of armed conflict and inter-communal clashes. Around 7.7 million people are internally displaced in the country, including more than 7 million in the eastern provinces, the majority of whom are women and girls. Crisis levels of hunger or worse are also rising.

Health infrastructure is poor, and access to life-saving reproductive health and protection services for women and girls is severely constrained. Three women die every hour from pregnancy and birth-related complications, and maternal mortality rates are rising.

The country saw an alarming surge in sexual and gender-based violence in 2024 – more than 7.7 million women need gender-based violence support. Minimal protection and security in crowded displacement camps, food insecurity, and the lack of livelihood opportunities increase the risks of exploitation and abuse for women and adolescent girls.  

UNFPA is working with affected populations 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 ensure women and girls can access maternal health services, including emergency obstetric and newborn care. Safe spaces for women and girls are being supported and expanded so that survivors of gender-based violence can access medical, psychosocial, legal and livelihood support. UNFPA is also working with women and adolescent girls as partners so that their needs are prioritized in the humanitarian response.

Updated 11 December 2024