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DRC Crisis Appeal
Last updated: 11 March 2025
Renewed fighting around the city of Goma and across North and South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has displaced millions of people. The rebel group M23 has occupied large part of the city of Goma and Bukavu, triggering a severe humanitarian crisis. Over 21 million people are in desperate need of aid.
Every day, the situation is getting worse. We are seeing first-hand the devastating impact that this conflict is having on vulnerable communities. Some of these families have been displaced for the seventh time, with no immediate means of support. The most basic needs for survival — food, clean water, medical care, blankets and protection — are in short supply, and humanitarian aid is yet to reach them.”
Manenji Mangundu, Country Director of Oxfam in the DRC
What's happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
- Millions of people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
- Over 7 million people have been displaced and left without shelter, food or water. More than half of those are women and children.
- Thousands of men, women and children have fled into neighbouring Burundi in search of safety.
- The fighting has forced people to leave the displacement camps in Goma, many of which were destroyed or looted.
- Communities are struggling to access cash to buy food or return home as banks in Goma remain closed.
- Women and girls are among the most at risk from gender-based violence.
- The recent aid cuts is having a devastating impact on communities who depend on humanitarian aid for survival.
What is Oxfam doing in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
As the violence intensifies, families – many of whom have already been displaced several times. People face a lack of basic essentials but the violence and scale of need is making it extremely difficult to reach people.
Together with partners, Oxfam is continuing to provide people with clean water and basic essentials to those affected by the conflict. Oxfam is working to restore critical infrastructure and treat septic tanks to help provide water and sanitation to affected communities.
Without adequate shelter and access to critical resources, the risk of disease outbreaks, is a real threat.
Oxfam has worked in DRC since 1961 and currently operates in several provinces including Equateur, North Kivu and South Kivu.
Millions of people have already been forced to flee their homes in the Democratic Republic of Congo because of ongoing armed conflict. More than 25 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Conflict, Mpox virus, Ebola and cholera outbreaks have already claimed countless lives in the country.
Please donate what you can today to help us scale up our response.
How we spend your donation
For every £1 you donate to this emergency appeal, we will allocate 9p of your donation to cover general support and running costs. There is a small chance that we will raise more money than is needed for this appeal. If this happens, we’ll spend any additional funds on other Oxfam projects – wherever the need is greatest.