CRISIS IMPACT OVERVIEW

In January 2024, violent incidents between the March 23 Movement (M23) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) increased in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) province of North Kivu. Besides M23, the Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces, Mayi Mayi groups, the Wazalendo, and Nyatura militias also operate in eastern DRC (CFR accessed 15/06/2024; UN SC 21/02/2024; Le Monde 19/12/2023; ACLED 04/03/2024). By January 2024, the use of explosives and remote violence, specifically shelling and air strikes, had quadrupled compared to the average in 2023. The escalation in violence is displacing a significant number of civilians and increasing casualties from shelling and different types of attacks (IOM 11/06/2024; ACLED 04/03/2024). Since 2021, M23 attacks have been increasing in North Kivu. After surrendering in 2013, M23 resumed armed activities in 2021, with the group swiftly capturing some territories in southeastern North Kivu by 2022. There have since been several episodes of escalation, particularly since March 2022 (IPIS 04/04/2024; ICG 20/03/2024; AJ 08/06/2024; Reuters 05/11/2013).

Currently, DRC has one of the largest IDP numbers in the world, with over 7.3 million spread across the country and 2.4 million returnees by April 2024. January–April saw an additional 940,000 IDPs and 378,000 returnees in the country (OCHA 15/05/2024). Between the start of 2024 and 5 June, three indiscriminate bombings of IDP sites killed 18 and injured 32. In overcrowded IDP camps, people feel unsafe. Because of heavy artillery and armed elements, camp security incidents have also increased, endangering displaced populations (MDM 05/06/2024).

North Kivu hosts the largest refugee population in the country, totalling approximately 164,000 in April 2024 (UNHCR 21/05/2024). The large number of refugees and asylum seekers, as well as IDPs and returnees, is likely to aggravate the province’s already complex humanitarian situation.