According to media reports, members of the armed group M23 entered the key town of Uvira on Wednesday and residents described a sense of fear and uncertainty.
Radio Okapi, run by the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO, reported that more than 74 civilians have been killed and at least 83 wounded in clashes between Congolese forces and armed groups since early December. The station said thousands more have fled across the borders into Burundi and Rwanda.
Most of those displaced within South Kivu are taking refuge in overcrowded sites, facing increased protection risks, poor sanitary conditions and the growing threat of disease outbreaks. Displaced women and girls face increased risks of gender-based violence in overcrowded shelters.
Suspended food assistance
Humanitarian assistance programs, including food aid and health care, have been affected by insecurity.
The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has suspended its operations in South Kivu, leaving 25,000 people without access to vital food support, according to UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.
“Host families, already facing emergency levels of food insecurity, are sharing their remaining food with displaced people,” he told reporters in New York.
At least 32 WFP-supported schools in Uvira have suspended classes to accommodate displaced families, leaving more than 12,000 children without what is often their only daily hot meal. Humanitarian agencies have warned that food stocks in the area could run out within weeks if access and funding are not restored.
Cross-border fears grow
“The humanitarian impact of the crisis is now spreading across borders,” Haq said, reporting that nearly 25,000 people crossed into Burundi between December 5 and 8, with additional arrivals also reported in Rwanda.
In both countries, humanitarian partners and national authorities are expanding emergency assistance, including hot meals, clean water and health services.
The escalation comes despite diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tensions. Last week, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda signed a US-backed peace agreement, welcomed by the United Nations as a “critical step” toward restoring trust.
Financing challenges deepen crisis
The lack of financing is aggravating the emergency.
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Humanitarian Response Plan is only 22 percent funded, leaving a shortfall of nearly $2 billion, Haq warned. In Burundi, less than $33 million has been mobilized compared to a need of almost $77 million to support new arrivals.
“We call on all parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities, respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and ensure safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access,” he said.