Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: United Nations Population Fund Please refer to the attached file. Key Figures (Eastern DRC)5,500,000 Total people affected5,500,000 People internally displaced1,210,000 Women of reproductive age163,710 Estimated pregnant women933,728 People targeted with SRH services459,896 People targeted with GBV programmesHighlightsOngoing insecurity and displacement is putting the lives and safety of women and girls at risk: The security situation continues to be a cause for concern in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Ongoing violence is restricting civilian movement, disrupting access to basic services such as healthcare, and creating continuous population displacements. Displacement exacerbates health issues, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges, with an alarming rise in maternal deaths and complications due to the lack of adequate care. The humanitarian crisis is also exacerbating risks for women and girls, particularly with sexual exploitation and abuse in returnee areas in North and South Kivu and in the remaining overcrowded displacement sites in Tanganyika and Ituri.Healthcare and protection services affected: Significant disruptions of SRH and gender-based violence (GBV) services have impacted the affected populations. Weak protection systems are leaving women highly vulnerable to GBV, which is further compounded by a weak referral system. Service delivery in health facilities is slowly resuming but health services are overwhelmed by high demand and face critical shortages of medical supplies, including post-rape kits, and staff. Concerningly, some hospitals have been attacked and patients abducted.Reduced humanitarian funding is impacting critical GBV and SRH services: The termination of U.S. funding has reduced humanitarian funding in the DRC by more than two-thirds, jeopardizing ongoing interventions. Many NGOs and UN agencies have suspended or scaled down their activities, while humanitarian needs continue to surge. The UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated US$1.5 million to support prevention and emergency multisectoral response to support the needs of survivors of GBV, and protection against sexual exploitation and abuse in the provinces of North and South Kivu. US$3 million has been allocated for the health sector, 17 per cent of which will cover SRH interventions.Assessment of healthcare facilities indicate significant gaps in SRH services: The SRH Working Group in North Kivu has carried out a rapid assessment of the SRH situation in health facilities and mobile clinics. According to the assessment, most of the health infrastructure has been looted and destroyed, resulting in a shortage of essential supplies and products. The lack of skilled staff and limited funding are aggravating the situation. There is an urgent need to strengthen integrated emergency SRH and GBV services to prevent excess maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity.Situation OverviewContinued fighting and insecurity: Despite the ceasefire announced on 22 March 2025 between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and the March 23 Movement (M23), insecurity continued in various parts of North and South Kivu. The situation in the towns of Goma, Bukavu and Bunia remains highly volatile. Repeated clashes continue leading to further displacement of populations.Returnee population movement: As of April 2025, the security situation in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces remains unstable, with ongoing efforts by de facto authorities to encourage displaced populations to return to their areas of origin. A large-scale return of civilians displaced during the 2023-2024 conflict has been observed by humanitarian workers in North Kivu since February 2025. One of the humanitarian corridors has seen an estimated 21,295 people, following the dismantling of various sites for displaced persons throughout the area from Goma to Masisi territory.Gender-based violence: Fear of reprisal by perpetrators of violence is widespread among women and girls in communities, following threats and aggressions. Risks are increasing among GBV and protection service providers, which is hampering the availability and quality of services.Psychosocial support: Several women and girls’ safe spaces run by local NGOs have had to close or drastically reduce their capacity, depriving survivors of psychological care and a secure environment. There has been a seven-fold increase in psychiatric-psychological consultations in North Kivu compared with 2024, with severe depression, posttraumatic stress and suicidal ideation among unsupported survivors.Disruption to critical infrastructure: In North and South Kivu, banking services have been disrupted, hindering the implementation of ground operations for humanitarian organizations. Goma airport remains non-operational, resulting in high logistics costs for vital life-saving commodities.