The humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has deteriorated dramatically over the past year. The crisis is complex and has stretched people’s coping mechanisms. A surge in violent conflict and intercommunal violence forced more than two million people to flee their homes in 2017. Today, the total number of internally displaced people in the DRC has reached 4.4 million, which is the highest number of any country on the African continent. North Kivu Province remains the most affected, accounting for over one million displaced persons, of which 75 percent are women and children. Nearly 55 per cent of the refugees are under 18, many crossing borders unaccompanied or separated. Almost eight million people across the country are facing severe food insecurity – a 30 percent increase from the same time last year. The situation is further complicated by political uncertainty and economic downturn. UNFPA is leading the gender-based violence sub-cluster and the sexual and reproductive health / Minimum Initial Service Package working group.
