Nearly half a million people left without shelter, food or water in DR Congo as fighting surges and aid is cut

The humanitarian crisis was further exacerbated on Friday as rebels entered Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province, forcing thousands more people to flee their homes, while funding cuts are hampering the capacity of remaining humanitarian organisations to respond. Today (Saturday) African leaders meet at the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa to discuss ways to end the conflict.

A surge in fighting has forced people to leave the displacement sites in Goma, many of which were destroyed or looted. Many people are now seeking shelter in overcrowded churches and schools in Goma. Some families are returning to their villages, only to find their homes in ruins.

Oxfam is working to restore critical infrastructure and treat septic tanks to help provide water and sanitation to affected communities.

An Oxfam staff member in Minova, located 45 km south-west of Goma, said: "The displaced people are returning en masse, there's a lot of movement and the needs are enormous. People are traumatised. Twenty-five cases of cholera have been recorded this week. There's also Mpox. It's a catastrophe. More people are going to die."

The US funding cut is having a dramatic effect on the communities, as USAID was the leading donor in the DRC and most aid groups relied on its funding to provide life-saving assistance.

Manenji Mangundu, Country Director of Oxfam in DRC, said: “We are forced to repair shattered equipment while people in desperate need go without help. Even worse, when the sites are finally up and running again, we may still be unable to assist them, as US aid cuts have put everything at risk. Unless the international community steps in, this crisis will spiral beyond control.”

Three sites for displaced people in Rusayo, Goma, where Oxfam had been providing assistance to more than 100,000 people, have been completely emptied. Water tanks, latrines, showers and the water pipes have been destroyed and septic tanks left open. With little access to clean water and hygiene sanitation, the health risks are increasing as cases of measles, cholera and Mpox spread, straining an already fragile healthcare system.

Communities are also struggling to access cash to buy food or return home as banks in Goma remain closed and money agents are operating at limited capacity. In addition, prices are skyrocketing and pushing many families to the limits.

/ENDS

Contact information
For more information and interviews with Manenji Mangundu, Country Director of Oxfam in DRC, please contact the Oxfam GB Media Unit at media.unit@oxfam.org.uk, 07748 761999

Notes to editor

Pictures of abandoned sites and destroyed infrastructure are available on request.

In eastern DRC, Oxfam works in Goma, Minova, Masisi, Lubero, Beni, and Mahagi. Oxfam staff report that the thirteen displacement sites in Goma that have been destroyed are: Baraka, Buhimba, Bulengo, 8th Cepac Mugunga, Kayarucinya, Kibati, Lushagala, Lushagala Extension, Lwashi, Rego, Rusayo 1, Rusayo 2 and Rusayo Extension.

The impact of the USAID funding cuts is hampering the urgent response for 300,000 people displaced in and around Goma with urgent clean water, food and protection services for women and girls. Long-term funding for humanitarian agencies to support affected families remains uncertain.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the leading humanitarian donor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Last year’s report indicates that it provided over $838 million in Fiscal Year 2024 alone, which includes $414 million specifically for humanitarian needs resulting from the ongoing conflict and displacement.

The DRC continues to grapple with the devastating impact of the Mpox outbreak, which has claimed lives and further strained an already fragile healthcare system.