Caritas mobilizes emergency aid in South Kivu

Thousands are facing a risk of malnutrition. - © Caritas Goma

25/02/2025

Considering the worsening conflict in the Democratic Republic (DR) of Congo, Caritas International is supporting the emergency humanitarian response of its local partner, Caritas Bukavu, to the many displaced people and host families in the province of South Kivu. We need your help to respond to the emergency and to support the population.

The armed conflict in eastern DR Congo is escalating at a frightening pace. On January 28th 2025, the city of Goma was taken. Since then, the conflict between M23 rebels and the Congolese army has been spreading into South Kivu. Meanwhile, the largest city in South Kivu, Bukavu, is also in rebel hands. The M23 rebels keep advancing and gaining ground, causing a major humanitarian crisis.

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Growing humanitarian and regional crisis

The attacks, looting, sexual violence and population displacements are causing great anguish among residents of North and South Kivu. More than 500,000 people fled the violence since the beginning of the year. Many ended up in overcrowded camps or with host families. The fighting damaged humanitarian infrastructure and health centers. Several civilians were hit by bombings, in violation of international humanitarian law.

Tens of thousands of people also fled to Burundi and Uganda, turning the conflict into a regional crisis. Then, in this very tense context, the U.S. government decided to shut down the operation of the agency USAID, which had major humanitarian programs in the DR Congo. Without these resources, the affected and traumatized populations are at risk of being left behind: this threatens to lead to severe malnutrition and a total implosion of the health care system.

Vital aid for families in need

In light of the worsening crisis in eastern DR Congo, Caritas International, in collaboration with its partners Caritas Bukavu, Caritas Burundi and Caritas Uganda, is launching an appeal to support actions and efforts.

Caritas Bukavu responds quickly to the needs of families of displaced persons and host families in South Kivu. Thanks to a rapid response mechanism, we can put in place targeted humanitarian interventions adapted to the local context: we provide essential products, food rations and kits for temporary shelters.

Our current resources allow us to support approximately 1,100 displaced and host families. Thanks to your generosity, Caritas International hopes to increase that number to 5,000 families.

Your support is crucial. Together, we can make this vital support possible. Make an online donation or a bank transfer to the account number BE88 0000 0000 4141 with the message “5084 Congo”.