UN urges sustained support for DR Congo as humanitarian crises deepen

The United Nations’ humanitarian coordinator in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has called for sustained international support as the country faces mass displacement, hunger, an Ebola outbreak and attacks on aid workers.

Damien Mama said more than 6.1 million people had been displaced by conflict and violence, while more than 26 million were facing food insecurity. More than 4 million children under the age of five were affected by malnutrition, he added.

Mama said the Ebola outbreak was worsening the humanitarian crisis, with more than 8,600 confirmed cases and over 4,100 deaths reported across seven provinces.

“The DRC needs sustained international solidarity and support,” he said, urging the international community to maintain humanitarian assistance, back peace efforts and strengthen the response to Ebola.

He also called for continued engagement in the broader humanitarian response and peace process, as well as stronger links between peace, humanitarian and development efforts.

The country’s $2.13 billion humanitarian response plan, which aims to assist 10.7 million vulnerable people, faces a funding shortfall of $1 billion, Mama said. He urged donors to respond with greater urgency to the overlapping crises.

Mama also raised concerns about attacks on humanitarian personnel, saying 343 aid workers had been targeted in 2026 and eight had been killed.

“Humanitarian workers are not a target,” he said, calling on all parties to ensure their safety and allow aid to reach people in need.