Humanitarian Workers Face Rising Attacks in Eastern DR Congo as Incidents Jump 23% in December
Kinshasa/Geneva – Humanitarian operations in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) encountered a sharp uptick in violence in December 2025, with 48 incidents targeting aid workers reported across the region, according to the latest data from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). This represents a 23% increase from the 39 incidents recorded the previous month, underscoring the perilous environment for those delivering essential aid amid protracted conflict.
The report, released on January 8, 2026, highlights the provinces of South Kivu and North Kivu as the epicenters of these attacks, accounting for the majority of cases. Of the 48 incidents, 24—or 50%—occurred in South Kivu, while 12 (25%) took place in North Kivu. Additional incidents were noted in Ituri (six, or 13%), with three each (6%) in Tanganyika and Maniema. These events, ranging from threats and harassment to physical assaults and kidnappings, have forced aid organizations to scale back operations in some areas, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.
OCHA's infographic overview, covering January to December 2025, points to a persistent pattern of insecurity driven by ongoing armed clashes. Humanitarian workers, who provide critical support to millions displaced by violence, have become increasingly vulnerable collateral in the conflict. The agency emphasized that this rise "marks an increase compared to November," signaling a troubling escalation as 2025 drew to a close.
Escalating Violence in a Conflict-Ridden Region
Eastern DRC has long been a hotspot for armed conflict, with over 120 active non-state armed groups operating in the area, according to UN assessments. Groups such as the M23 rebels, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), and CODECO militias have intensified activities in recent years, leading to territorial gains, mass displacement, and widespread atrocities. As of late 2025, the region hosts more than 7.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs)—the highest number globally—concentrated in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri, per OCHA's humanitarian needs tracking.
The surge in incidents against aid workers aligns with broader civil unrest and military offensives. In North and South Kivu, clashes between the DRC armed forces (FARDC) and M23, backed by regional dynamics including Rwanda's alleged involvement (which Kigali denies), have displaced hundreds of thousands since early 2022. Ituri has seen intercommunal violence flare between Lendu and Hema farmers, compounded by foreign armed groups. Tanganyika and Maniema, while less intense, face spillover effects from cross-border incursions and local militias.
Humanitarian access remains severely restricted. OCHA reports that aid convoys have been ambushed, warehouses looted, and staff detained arbitrarily. In December alone, the concentration of attacks in South Kivu—home to key displacement hubs like Minembwe and Uvira—reflects intensified fighting around strategic mining areas rich in coltan, gold, and other minerals that fuel the conflict economy.
Background: A Decade of Instability
The roots of eastern DRC's unrest trace back to the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, when Hutu militias fled into the DRC, sparking the First and Second Congo Wars (1996-2003), which claimed millions of lives. Despite a 2003 peace accord and elections, eastern provinces have never fully stabilized. The 2018-2019 political transition under President Félix Tshisekedi brought hopes for reform, but armed groups proliferated, exploiting governance vacuums, ethnic tensions, and illicit resource trades.
By 2025, the humanitarian toll is staggering: 25.6 million people require assistance, with 6.9 million children facing acute malnutrition. The UN's 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan sought $2.1 billion but was only 28% funded by December, per OCHA dashboards. Attacks on aid workers—totaling over 400 across 2025—threaten to unravel fragile relief efforts, including food distributions, health services, and protection for IDPs.
International responses have included strengthened MONUSCO peacekeeping mandates until its phased withdrawal, alongside bilateral military aid from the EU and US to the FARDC. Regional initiatives like the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) forces have deployed troops, but coordination challenges persist.
Outlook: Calls for Enhanced Protection
OCHA has urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law, which mandates safe passage for aid workers under the Geneva Conventions. "This increase underscores the urgent need for de-escalation and accountability," the report implies through its data visualization, though it stops short of direct attribution.
As 2026 begins, humanitarian agencies are reassessing risk protocols, potentially suspending activities in high-threat zones. With elections looming and resource competition intensifying, experts anticipate sustained volatility. The international community, including the UN Security Council, continues to monitor, but sustained diplomatic pressure on conflict actors remains essential to safeguard lifesaving operations.
In a region where aid reaches over 10 million people monthly, the safety of humanitarian personnel is not just an operational concern—it's a determinant of survival for millions caught in civil unrest.
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