Democratic Republic of Congo conflict
As violence escalates in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is increasing activities to respond to people’s growing medical and humanitarian needs.
In 2025, the M23 armed group expanded its control over larger parts of both provinces, including their capitals, Goma and Bukavu.
This escalation has caused further waves of mass displacement and a dramatic increase in basic needs, including for food, security, healthcare, and protection for the most vulnerable, including women, children, and elderly people.
Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) teams – already present in DRC – have been responding to the crisis from its first moments.
DRC: Key facts
2,281,100
OUTPATIENT CONSULTATIONS BY MSF IN DRC IN 2025
54,600
PEOPLE TREATED FOR SEXUAL VIOLENCE BY MSF IN DRC IN 2025
183,100
EMERGENCY ROOM ADMISSIONS IN DRC IN 2025
How is MSF responding to the DRC crisis?
Our teams are rapidly scaling up assistance to people caught up in violent clashes between government forces, the M23 armed group, and their respective allies in North Kivu and South Kivu.
MSF has launched emergency responses in Ituri province, which continues to be ravaged by intercommunity violence, and Maniema province, where another armed conflict is ongoing.
In addition to these emergency responses, we are maintaining our regular projects, and are supporting the Congolese health authorities to tackle various epidemics across the country.
How is the crisis affecting the people of DRC?
A refugee crisis
An estimated 392,000 people have been displaced since 2024.
In 2025, hospitals in North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, and Maniema received large influxes of wounded people, with victims reporting extreme levels of violence, including massacres, abductions, and sexual assaults.
Targeted attacks
In North Kivu and South Kivu, the health systems have largely collapsed, as health facilities have been destroyed and deliveries of medicines and other medical supplies were interrupted.
In some cases, civilians are deliberately targeted; in others, they are caught in the crossfire, falling victim to stray bullets. Health staff work under extremely difficult conditions and are vulnerable to attacks.
Three of our colleagues were killed during 2025, while other medical facilities we support came under fire and were raided by armed men.
Sexual violence
Since 2023, there has been an explosion in the number of survivors of sexual violence treated by our teams in DRC.
In Ituri, the humanitarian crisis has deteriorated further, with a series of attacks targeting civilians, displaced communities, and even places considered as safe havens. The number of patients with serious sexual violence-related injuries almost doubled in 2025.
Infectious disease outbreaks
In May 2026, an Ebola disease outbreak was officially declared in DRC. It is the fastest-spreading Ebola outbreak in the country's history and MSF teams are on the ground treating patients.
DRC has been hit by a devastating cholera epidemic, one of the worst in the last decade. It’s caused by unsafe water sources, inadequate sanitation and displacement.
Cases of Mpox have been rising in DRC for the past decade, with the virus mutating into a form that seems to be more transmissible between humans. In August 2024, the World Health Organization declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
How is MSF responding to these issues?
MSF runs some of its largest programmes in DRC.
While regular projects continue, MSF emergency teams assess humanitarian needs every day in response to the rapidly evolving crisis.
This includes action on the following issues:
Violence-related trauma: We are treating people for gunshot and shrapnel wounds and other violence-related trauma in North Kivu and South Kivu, providing emergency surgery and psychological support.
Sexual violence: Our teams are offering medical and psychological care to thousands of victims and survivors and have installed additional beds in Bunia, Ituri.
Disease outbreaks: To curb measles epidemics, our teams are providing treatment and vaccinations, and for the cholera outbreak, we sent emergency support for medical care and vaccinations. MSF is also treating patients with mpox, malaria, Ebola and typhoid fever.
Maternal death rates: We are treating patients with violence-related injuries, managing malaria and acute malnutrition, delivering maternal care, and providing holistic care for victims and survivors of sexual violence.
Latest news and updates from DRC
Where is DRC?
The Democratic Republic of Congo is located in central Africa and is the largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Background: What caused the conflict in DRC?
The northeast of DRC has endured decades of insecurity since the fallout of the 1994 genocide in neighbouring Rwanda.
Driven by ethnic tensions and a fight for resources, the protracted violence involves over 100 armed groups (such as the widely-known M23), as well as Congolese government forces and UN peacekeepers.
Millions of people have been displaced, infectious disease outbreaks are frequent and access to essential healthcare is a critical need.
What you can do to help people in DRC
Right now, our teams are treating people caught up in an appalling humanitarian crisis. This is only possible because of donations from people like you.
By giving to our general funds today, you will be helping ensure we can respond to emergencies and conflicts around the world, including in DRC.
Please donate today to support our teams