People displaced by the fighting in and around Goma, taking shelter at the Don Bosco centre in the city. Photo: Yves Byamungu/NRC

Eastern DR Congo: Hundreds of thousands displaced in wave of extreme violence

Statement by Eric Batonon, Norwegian Refugee Council’s (NRC) country director in the Democratic Republic of Congo, on the recent surge in violence:
Press release
DR Congo
Published 05. Feb 2025

“The impact of the recent escalation across eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been devastating for the civilian population. We welcome the ceasefire, but stress that only a lasting peace can bring relief here and allow life-saving aid to reach those in desperate need. Many of those who have been displaced in the past month have already fled violence multiple times. Whole generations in eastern DRC have known nothing but conflict, and their needs have been utterly neglected. 

“Thousands of people have been pushed into extremely precarious situations, seeking refuge in already overcrowded camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) in and around the city of Goma. Many displaced families have been forced to abandon such camps due to insecurity. We must be very clear: although some have found refuge in host communities, many are still left with no safe place to go. Added to this, they are left without access to basic needs such as healthcare, food, or safe drinking water, as critical infrastructure has been severely damaged or looted. This ceasefire will not change their situation unless it is followed by lasting peace and stability. 

“It is now critical to ensure that humanitarian assistance can get to those in need. NRC is present in North Kivu province, supporting those who have once again been forced to move. We have been closely monitoring recent population movements, and are working to rapidly scale up our assistance, while planning an additional response, especially in the outskirts of Goma. 

“To be able to support those affected by this most recent violence, we urgently need two elements: sufficient funding to support lifesaving aid operations, and unhindered humanitarian access to reach vulnerable populations affected by the recent fighting.

“We call on all parties to the conflict to provide lasting access for humanitarians, and for those in need to have access to aid. The people of eastern DRC have for years suffered as a result of extreme violence, with little international attention. They must be given vital assistance in the immediate term, and a lasting peace in order to rebuild their future.”

Notes to editors:

  • The decades-long conflict in eastern DRC rapidly escalated at the start of January 2025, with clashes in Goma, North Kivu province. More than 480,000 people have been displaced, deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis. (UNICEF).
  • 5.6 million Congolese are internally displaced in the DRC, with over 4 million in the eastern provinces of South Kivu, North Kivu, and Ituri alone (UNHCR).
  • As of 31 December 2024, only 51% of the Humanitarian Response Plan was covered (OCHA FTS). 
  • Goma is home to over 2 million people, including 696,650 internally displaced persons (IDPs) (IOM).

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

“The impact of the recent escalation across eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been devastating for the civilian population. We welcome the ceasefire, but stress that only a lasting peace can bring relief here and allow life-saving aid to reach those in desperate need. Many of those who have been displaced in the past month have already fled violence multiple times. Whole generations in eastern DRC have known nothing but conflict, and their needs have been utterly neglected. 

“Thousands of people have been pushed into extremely precarious situations, seeking refuge in already overcrowded camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) in and around the city of Goma. Many displaced families have been forced to abandon such camps due to insecurity. We must be very clear: although some have found refuge in host communities, many are still left with no safe place to go. Added to this, they are left without access to basic needs such as healthcare, food, or safe drinking water, as critical infrastructure has been severely damaged or looted. This ceasefire will not change their situation unless it is followed by lasting peace and stability. 

“It is now critical to ensure that humanitarian assistance can get to those in need. NRC is present in North Kivu province, supporting those who have once again been forced to move. We have been closely monitoring recent population movements, and are working to rapidly scale up our assistance, while planning an additional response, especially in the outskirts of Goma. 

“To be able to support those affected by this most recent violence, we urgently need two elements: sufficient funding to support lifesaving aid operations, and unhindered humanitarian access to reach vulnerable populations affected by the recent fighting.

“We call on all parties to the conflict to provide lasting access for humanitarians, and for those in need to have access to aid. The people of eastern DRC have for years suffered as a result of extreme violence, with little international attention. They must be given vital assistance in the immediate term, and a lasting peace in order to rebuild their future.”

Notes to editors:

  • The decades-long conflict in eastern DRC rapidly escalated at the start of January 2025, with clashes in Goma, North Kivu province. More than 480,000 people have been displaced, deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis. (UNICEF).
  • 5.6 million Congolese are internally displaced in the DRC, with over 4 million in the eastern provinces of South Kivu, North Kivu, and Ituri alone (UNHCR).
  • As of 31 December 2024, only 51% of the Humanitarian Response Plan was covered (OCHA FTS). 
  • Goma is home to over 2 million people, including 696,650 internally displaced persons (IDPs) (IOM).

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: