Democratic Republic of the Congo

Overview

A complex emergency has persisted in DRC for more than 20 years. Over 99% of displacement, which is frequent and repeated, is due to armed clashes and intercommunal violence between foreign, self-defence, and other armed groups. 4.49 million IDPs are registered and 800,000 refugees are hosted in neighbouring countries. DRC also hosts approximately 533,000 refugees.?

An Ebola virus outbreak began in Ituri and Nord-Kivu provinces on 1 August 2018, transmission rates have been increasing since late March. Conflict in Nord-Kivu make the response to extremely challenging, and activities are regularly suspended.?

By mid-December 2018, almost 670,000 Congolese nationals returned from Angola to Kasai and areas close to the border after the Angolan government forced all those without documentation to leave. Most returnees are staying with host communities while some are sleeping out in the open or in churches. They are in need of healthcare, food, drinkable water, WASH, and also face protection concerns as the security situation in Kasai is volatile.?

The Commission électorale nationale indépendante announced the provisional results, with Félix Tshisekedi declared the new president, after elections took place on 30 December in a tense climate with reports of widespread irregularities, voter suppression, and violence. ?

INFORM measures DRC's risk of humanitarian crisis and disaster to be very high, at 7.6/10. Lack of coping capacity is of particular concern, at 8/10 as well as vulnerability at 7.6/10. ?

Latest Developments

Since mid-October heavy rains have caused flooding across numerous provinces in DRC, including Sud-Ubangi, Nord-Ubangi, and Mongala. Assessments are still ongoing, but initial reports indicate that 40,000 people have been displaced, particularly in communities along the Ubangi River.? In the Libenge and Zongo territories of  Sud-Ubangi, approximately 14,200 homes have been destroyed and schools, bridges, and crops have been significantly damaged by the floods. Infrastructure and homes have been damaged or destroyed by the floods across three territories in Nord-Ubangi, including Mobayi-Mbongo, Bosobolo, and Businga. In the Bumba Territories of Mongala, flooding has destroyed houses, crops, and livestock. Humanitarian response may be compromised due to  restricted access caused by damaged roads and bridges. As of 11 November, the Ubangi river was still rising, potentially leading to further destruction and displacement. ?