Around 7 million people in the Democratic Republic of Congo remain displaced due to ongoing conflict and natural disasters, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM). The agency’s report, covering the period from June to August, estimates that 6.9 million people are internally displaced across the country.
The IOM report provides an updated overview of the displacement crisis in DR Congo. It highlights that the situation is driven by a complex mix of factors, with armed conflict in the eastern provinces being the primary cause of long-term mass displacement. According to the report, 87% of displaced persons are victims of conflict, while 13% have been displaced due to natural disasters.
The provinces most affected include Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu, Tanganyika, as well as Tshopo, Haut-Lomami, Maniema, Kinshasa, and Mai-Ndombe. Armed groups, including M23 rebels, continue to fuel violence in the eastern regions, where conflict has persisted for years. Since 1996, it is estimated that around 6 million people have lost their lives due to the ongoing violence in DR Congo.
