The Humanitarian Crisis in Eastern Congo

In late January 2025, M23 rebels seized control of Goma in Eastern DRC. The violence has since escalated, with fighters entering Bukavu on February 14th. According to the UN, this year’s conflict has worsened an already dire humanitarian crisis, making aid delivery increasingly difficult due to insecurity and mass displacement. The UNHCR estimates that heavy artillery shelling and looting have destroyed 70,000 emergency shelters around Goma, displacing approximately 350,000 people once again. Refugee camps are overcrowded, critical infrastructure has been looted or destroyed, and food and medical supplies are severely limited. 

KUNO invites you to join this expert meeting on the humanitarian crisis in Eastern Congo, where key experts will provide insights into the evolving conflict, its impact on civilians, and the challenges and opportunities in humanitarian response.

• Judith Verweijen, assistant professor at Utrecht University in Political Geography and International Development Studies. 
• Delu Lusambya Mwenebyake, PhD researcher at the International Institute of Social Studies. Delu researches humanitarian governance in the DRC and coordinates the DRC Humanitarian Observatory.
• Poppy Anguandia, Country Director for Tearfund in the DRC and DRA Acute Joint Response Representative in Goma,  joining live from the DRC.
• TBC.

This session will be moderated by Kiza Magendane, an independent writer, political scientist, and social entrepreneur.

• The background of the conflict in the DRC and political and economic context.
• The humanitarian impact of the M23 seizure of Goma and the escalation of forced displacement.
• Challenges and opportunities in the humanitarian response.

Please register via: kuno@kuno-platform.nl with your name and organisation. 

– Picture Tearfund –