When I visited Goma in Eastern DR Congo recently I met Vumilia, a mother of eight. Displaced many times in the past, she had returned to the neighbourhood of Sake, and to her destroyed home. 

Vumilia’s needs were clear: “All I want is for my children to return to school,” she said with a trembling voice. “But their school is gone. I need help to rebuild our home, tools to work my farm again, and a sewing machine so my daughter can restart her tailoring business.” She wasn’t looking for handouts, but the literal tools to restore her life and dignity. 

The DR Congo is amongst the world’s most severe humanitarian crises and Vumilia’s story is one of millions.  

More than 5.9 million people were internally displaced in 2025, according to OCHA, and the Food and Agricultural Organization has estimated 27.7 million people don’t have enough to eat. 

More than 3 million displaced people have returned to their homes to find nothing remains. 

UNDP is already rebuilding houses, restarting businesses, assisting the victims of sexual violence and investing in livelihoods and community cohesion. But adequate funding continues to be a significant challenge. 

How do we build peace and prosperity? 

The conference on peace and prosperity in the Great Lakes Region, being held in Paris this week, is both essential and timely. It presents unprecedented opportunities to enhance resilience, rebuild peace, and invest in peoples’ long-term futures from day one. 

Despite its high economic growth in recent years, DRC remains fragile. The country faces a delicate landscape, characterized by instability and vulnerability to external shocks. Economic growth is primarily driven by mining industries, achieving an average annual rate of 6.1 percent, surpassing the sub-Saharan average of 4.1 percent.

While the DRC has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of prolonged crises, human capital remains low. UNDP’s Human Development Index places it 180th out of 193 countries. Some 64.5 percent of Congolese live below the poverty line and less than half of young people and women are employed.

Since January 2025, banks and other financial institutions in the east of the country have closed, making cash hard to get. Business closures and job losses have further strained local communities.

Insecurity also has devastating consequences for both human and physical well-being. The recurring conflicts in the east and in Mai-Ndombe province have significantly increased the country’s risk indicators, deterring potential investors and making it even less likely that young people will find meaningful work.