Democratic Republic of the Congo situation

GLOBAL APPEAL 2023

Wracked by decades of conflict, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the most complex and long-standing humanitarian crisis in Africa and the fourth-largest IDP crisis in the world. 

children leaning on the mattress.
Three of the children of Enoch Twaza, who arrived in Uganda from the Congolese border town of Bunagana (North Kivu) with his eight children after hearing shooting on 8 November, 2021. That day, over 11,000 Congolese people fled into Uganda from the Democratic Republic of the Congo after their villages were attacked by armed men. © UNHCR/Esther Ruth Mbabazi
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2023 population planning figures 

  • Refugees and asylum-seekers in Angola, Burundi, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia: 922,000     

  • IDPs in the DRC: 5.1 million  

  • Refugee and IDP returnees in the DRC: 1.6 million

  • Refugees and asylum-seekers in the DRC: 469,000  

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2023 situation overview

Wracked by decades of conflict, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is the most complex and long-standing humanitarian crisis in Africa and the fourth-largest IDP crisis in the world. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with violent intersecting conflicts forcing people to flee their homes and preventing their return. More than 5 million people are displaced within the country and more than 1 million Congolese have sought asylum, mostly within Africa. The situation is exacerbated by disease outbreaks and natural disasters. At the same time, the DRC hosts half a million refugees from neighbouring countries, three-quarters of whom live outside refugee camps and settlements. 

In 2023, UNHCR will provide a robust operational response to the DRC situation, consisting of protection interventions and multi-sector assistance for refugees, IDPs, and returnees, with a focus on long-term solutions and self-reliance. UNHCR will continue to coordinate the overall response in consultation with the Government and in collaboration with partners under the Refugee Coordination Model.

Regionally, UNHCR leads the Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRRP), which brings together partners across seven neighbouring countries hosting Congolese refugees. Led by UNHCR, partners under the RRRP will provide strategic and coordinated protection and assistance, while working toward solutions and sustainability. For the IDP response, UNHCR will play its leadership role in the Protection, the Camp Coordination and Camp Management and the Emergency Shelter Clusters.