Kinshasa, DRC — January 28, 2026 The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government has launched a $1. 4 billion humanitarian response plan to address the ongoing crisis, with Bruno Lemarchand, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the DRC, highlighting the severe challenges faced by the country.
According to Lemarchand, there are currently 5.
3 million internally displaced people within the DRC, mainly due to conflict, with 4. 1 million people returning in recent months, including three million in 2025, largely due to the M23 crisis.
He also pointed out the financial constraints faced by humanitarian organizations, noting a sudden drop in funding that has left many unable to operate. “.
The challenges facing humanitarians are numerous, “Lemarchand. “There are major financial challenges due to a drastic and sudden drop in funding. This has happened within just a few months, meaning many organizations are no longer able to operate.”.
The UN coordinator also emphasized the security challenges faced by aid workers in the DRC, noting that in 2025, 13 humanitarian workers lost their lives, and there were around 700 security incidents affecting aid workers. “
The DRC is a dangerous operating environment for humanitarians, “he added.
Furthermore, the DRC’s Minister of Social Affairs and Humanitarian Action, Ève Bazaiba, highlighted the multifaceted nature of the country’s challenges. “
The DRC has to take care not only of internally displaced people and vulnerable populations inside the country, while dealing with three major shocks — conflict, climate hazards and epidemics.
The Congolese government must also support its citizens who are now refugees in other countries, “she.
Since 2021, the M23 group, which the UN accuses of being backed by Rwanda, has been in conflict with the Congolese army, resulting in an estimated 7,000 lives lost last year alone.
The humanitarian response plan is aimed at providing assistance to those affected by the ongoing conflict, including internally displaced persons, returning refugees, and vulnerable populations.
However, the government’s ability to implement the plan will largely depend on the availability of funding and the security situation on the ground.
Further details are expected as the situation develops.
