The United Nations has raised the alarm over the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where escalating conflict continues to displace millions and strain already limited resources.

James Swan, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of the MONUSCO peacekeeping mission, addressed the UN Security Council on Friday, June 26, 2026, painting a grim picture of the humanitarian toll of persistent violence in the eastern provinces. He highlighted that the humanitarian crisis is worsening in tandem with declining international funding.

According to Swan, the 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan, launched in January, is currently only 53.3% funded. This leaves a gaping shortfall of over 46% in meeting the urgent needs of millions of Congolese civilians caught in the crossfire. The plan targets 7.3 million people for emergency aid at a total cost of $1.4 billion.

“The humanitarian crisis in DRC remains dire. Nearly 27 million people — more than a quarter of the population — face food insecurity,” Swan stated. He emphasized that without immediate and full funding, the situation will continue to deteriorate, with severe consequences for vulnerable populations.

“We are grateful for the support received so far, but we urgently call on all donors to close this funding gap. Lives are at stake. Every dollar not contributed today means more suffering tomorrow.”

The call for increased funding comes as fighting intensifies in several areas of North-Kivu and South-Kivu provinces. Despite diplomatic efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire and implement peace agreements, humanitarian needs continue to rise. The lack of sufficient resources has already forced the humanitarian community to make painful cuts.

In 2025, reduced operational capacity led to the closure of over 1,000 nutrition centers, depriving more than 390,000 children with severe acute malnutrition of critical care. Access to primary healthcare was cut off for 1.5 million people due to shuttered facilities, medicine shortages, and reduced capacity to prevent and respond to disease outbreaks. Food assistance coverage was slashed by up to 73%, leaving millions more vulnerable to hunger and hardship.

As the international community debates priorities, millions of Congolese families face an uncertain future. The UN’s appeal underscores that the cost of inaction is not just financial — it is human.

Clément Muamba