LocationsCoordinating an emergency response that builds greater resilience
Crisis in the DR Congo
February 26, 2025
Hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Photo: UNICEF/Jospin Benekire
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing one of its worst crises in years. Damien Mama, UNDP’s Resident Representative, discusses the impact of the crisis and how UNDP is responding to urgent needs as well as long-term support.
1. How is the crisis affecting the Congolese and UNDP’s work?
Millions of people are being pushed deeper into poverty, public services are collapsing, and entire communities are being displaced. The impact of this crisis is deeply felt in Kinshasa, as well. Every day, we hear stories of families who have lost everything, mothers searching for food, children who can no longer go to school, and entire communities forced to flee.
Vital infrastructure including schools, health centres, and judicial offices have been destroyed. Businesses that were once thriving have shut down. People’s futures are being erased before our eyes. The challenge is immense, but so is our commitment to ensuring those that are affected by this crisis are not forgotten.
We are coordinating an emergency response that builds greater resilience. The goal is to link immediate aid to early recovery and long-term development, ensuring that once the crisis subsides, communities can rebuild sustainably.
2. With displacement on the rise, how can the DRC break the cycle?
Imagine having to leave your home with nothing but the clothes on your back. That’s the reality for hundreds of thousands of people right now. Some of those who return, like the 40,000 people back in Masisi and 30,000 in Nyiragongo, find that their homes have been destroyed, their schools and health centres gone, or their land occupied. Houses, schools, and water systems need urgent rebuilding.
UNDP is focused on restoring essential services, and rebuilding infrastructure. By addressing both immediate and long-term needs, we ensure that displaced communities can rebuild their lives without the fear of having to flee again.
Resident Representative, Damien Mama is spearheading UNDP's efforts to link immediate aid to long-term recovery.
Photo: UNDP Democratic Republic of Congo
Maintaining support and continued involvement in development are critical to preventing escalation of needs.
Photo: UNDP Democratic Republic of Congo
3. What impact is the ongoing conflict having on the DRC's economy?
The price of essential goods has doubled in less than a month in areas where supply chains have been disrupted. Markets that were once bustling with trade have been emptied. Shopkeepers who built their businesses over decades have seen them vanish overnight because of widespread looting.
If the violence continues, the DRC’s economy could shrink by up to 7 percent. Over 4.4 million people are already feeling the strain, particularly as businesses and supply chains are disrupted.
Neighbouring countries are experiencing the ripple effects, with disrupted trade, economic slowdowns, and refugees adding pressure to the already fragile regional economy. Strengthening economic resilience is more crucial than ever. UNDP is supporting efforts to stabilize local markets, protect livelihoods, and build social safety nets to prevent a long-term economic collapse.
4. How is the healthcare system coping?
The crisis is taking a heavy toll on the healthcare system, and it’s putting thousands of lives on the line. With medical supply chains disrupted, clinics and pharmacies looted, and health workers fleeing, essential services are collapsing. Over 8,100 people living with HIV and 1,680 tuberculosis patients are struggling to get treatment. A person living with HIV or tuberculosis cannot afford to wait weeks or months for treatment. Every delay costs lives.
Together with the Global Fund, UNDP is focused on restoring these vital services and ensuring treatments reach those who need them. We must act quickly to prevent a health emergency from spiraling further.
Addressing the needs of women and girls is one of UNDP's top priorities. This includes psychosocial support, protection from gender-based violence, and creating safe spaces for women and girls to rebuild their lives.
Photo: UNICEF/Jospin Benekire
5. How can justice and governance be restored?
The justice system in the affected regions is in complete disarray. In North Kivu, six judicial infrastructures, including Musenze prison, have been destroyed or occupied, and judicial personnel have fled.
More than 4,400 detainees are unaccounted for and critical cases have been wiped from records, including 36 priority cases of serious crimes, such as 11 cases of conflict-related sexual violence. Nearly 100 percent of judicial records have been destroyed in these areas, leaving survivors without legal recourse.
This is a grave setback after years of progress. UNDP remains committed to rebuilding these institutions, restoring case management systems, and ensuring that justice is accessible to all, especially those most vulnerable. Without urgent action, the cycle of impunity will continue to fuel instability.
6. How is the crisis affecting women and girls?
We have heard reports of countless cases of sexual violence and exploitation, which are deeply damaging to both the victims and the broader community.
For UNDP, addressing the unique needs and protection of women and girls is a top priority. This includes psychosocial support, protection from gender-based violence, and creating safe spaces for women and girls to rebuild their lives. We are also working to restore education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities. It is critical that women are included in decision-making processes for justice and healing, and for the long-term resilience of the country.
For women and girls, crisis often means more than just displacement. It means fear of violence, fear of exploitation, fear of never being able to reclaim their future. Some have lost not just their homes but their sense of security. We must ensure that protection and empowerment go hand in hand, giving women and girls not just safety, but the opportunity to lead in rebuilding their communities. Women's leadership is vital to recovery, and investing in their protection and empowerment will be key to securing a peaceful, sustainable future for all.
7. What actions are needed to prevent the crisis from escalating?
The DRC is vast, and while the conflict is concentrated in the east, its effects are felt across the nation. Moments like this remind us that protecting progress requires collective effort - from policymakers in Kinshasa to local leaders.
In the coming weeks, it will be essential to prioritize peace talks to address the root causes of the conflict. Land disputes, already exacerbated by the crisis, are fueling tensions and displacing more people. These disputes must be resolved peacefully to ensure long-term stability and allow displaced people to safely return home. Restoring healthcare, education, and clean water must be a top priority. UNDP is focused on bridging short-term humanitarian aid with long-term goals, including rebuilding infrastructure and restoring livelihoods. However, this can only be achieved if all parties commit to dialogue and protect civilians and aid workers. Failure to act now risks further destabilizing the region.
The DRC cannot afford to keep repeating the painful history of protracted conflict and instability. Right now, every decision matters—every effort to restore peace, rebuild infrastructure, and support displaced people will shape the country’s future. UNDP has a wide reach and can take decisive action.
Maintaining support and continued involvement in development are critical to preventing further escalation of needs. With continued funding and immediate access, we can restore essential services, rebuild infrastructure, and strengthen resilience for those who need it most.
UNDP is focused on restoring essential services such as schools and hospitals, and rebuilding infrastructure, addressing both immediate and long-term needs.
Photo: UNDP Democratic Republic of Congo
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