Congo, Democratic Republic of the — humanitarian situation

The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces compounding humanitarian emergencies driven by armed conflict, intercommunal violence, and an expanding Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak. More than three months into the outbreak response, sustained transmission continues with high mortality and geographic expansion across Ituri, North Kivu, and Haut-Uélé provinces WHO. The outbreak occurs in a context of intense population mobility, persistent insecurity, and weak health systems, complicating detection and response efforts. Recent attacks on Red Cross personnel and volunteers further jeopardize humanitarian operations, prompting condemnation from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement ICRC. In Tanganyika province, over 31,000 people were newly displaced between January and June 2026, bringing the total displaced population to 270,000, with 52 percent being women OCHA. Armed conflict accounted for 62.8 percent of displacement, while land disputes and intercommunal clashes drove 19.5 percent. Approximately 43,000 people returned to their villages of origin over the previous 18 months. Humanitarian conditions continue deteriorating across eastern provinces. In North Kivu, displacement of more than 39,000 people was reported in Mabalako health zone, with needs and response gaps remaining elevated amid limited humanitarian coverage REACH, OCHA. In South Kivu, humanitarian access proved difficult in Itombwe and Mulungu health zones, where three displacement alerts affected over 77,000 people in Itombwe alone. The median cost of the Minimum Expenditure Basket increased 4 percent between June and July 2026, reaching 404,940 Congolese francs, with significant variation across markets—from 288,924 francs in Tanganyika's Kapulo market to 992,389 francs at Bunangiri in North Kivu REACH. Since April, the basket cost has risen approximately 37 to 39 percent in Beni city markets. The Bundibugyo outbreak demands coordinated cross-sectoral response. The Education Cluster developed a harmonized infection prevention and control package for schools in collaboration with Child Protection, WASH sectors, and technical partners including Save the Children, UNICEF, and NRC (Education Cluster). Population mobility mapping in Lubero Territory and Butembo City identified intensive cross-border movements, commercial activities, and mining operations that increase transmission risks through frequent interactions between mobile populations and host communities IOM. These dynamics, combined with escalating violence and shrinking humanitarian access, underscore urgent protection needs for both civilians and humanitarian workers across the region.