The UN World Food Programme (WFP has condemned the looting of thousands of tonnes of relief supplies in the city of Bukavu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), after M23 rebels swept in at the weekend, reportedly meeting little resistance.
WFP said that it “condemns the pillage of its warehouses in Bukavu in South Kivu…the food supplies kept there were meant to provide vital support to the most vulnerable families who now face a growing humanitarian crisis”.
Looters made off with 7,000 tonnes of humanitarian food supplies, the UN agency said, adding that as violence spreads and access to food becomes increasingly difficult, “WFP stands ready to resume essential food aid to the most vulnerable as soon as it is safe to do so”.
Escalation of Violence and the Human Toll
Since late January 2025, the M23 rebel group has launched a series of offensives, capturing several strategic areas, including the outskirts of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province. Reports indicate that over 700 people have been killed in the latest wave of violence, with nearly 3,000 others wounded. Hospitals and medical facilities in Goma are overwhelmed, struggling to treat the influx of wounded patients due to shortages of medical supplies and personnel.
The deteriorating security situation has also led to the displacement of approximately 400,000 people, forcing them into makeshift camps under dire conditions. Humanitarian organizations warn that these overcrowded camps face severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical care, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks such as cholera and mpox.
Global Calls for Action
In an unprecedented move, the DRC government has urged international entities, including high-profile European football clubs such as Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain, to terminate their sponsorship agreements with Rwanda’s “Visit Rwanda” tourism campaign. Congolese officials argue that supporting Rwanda in this way indirectly legitimizes a government accused of fueling instability in the region.
The African Union (AU), United Nations (UN), and various international organizations have expressed deep concern over the worsening crisis. The UN has called for an immediate ceasefire, urging all parties to engage in diplomatic dialogue to prevent further bloodshed. Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies continue to appeal for increased aid and support to assist displaced populations.
A Call for Peace and Respect for Human Life
The situation in the DRC remains dire, with no clear resolution in sight. However, peace remains an attainable goal if all parties prioritize human life over political and economic interests. The government of the DRC and the M23 rebels must commit to negotiations, placing the welfare of civilians above all else.
Regional and international actors also have a role to play in fostering stability. The African Union, United Nations, and neighboring countries must intensify efforts to mediate the conflict and ensure accountability for any actors fueling violence.
Ultimately, the cycle of violence in the DRC must end. The lives of thousands of innocent civilians hang in the balance, and history has shown that armed conflict only leads to further devastation. Now, more than ever, peace must be the priority. The Congolese people deserve security, stability, and a future free from the horrors of war.
The UN agency also urged all parties to the conflict “to respect their obligations vis-à-vis international humanitarian law”, which includes the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers.
The development came as M23 fighters made continuing gains in eastern DRC, after taking control of Goma – capital of North Kivu province – at the end of January. Hostilities have continued in this mineral-rich region for decades amid a proliferation of armed groups, forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.
In an alert, the top UN aid official in the country, Bruno Lemarquis, warned last that a shortage of humanitarian routes was threatening the aid operation in the mineral-rich region.
Before the M23’s latest offensive at the beginning of the year, Mr. Lemarquis recalled that the humanitarian situation in South Kivu was already dire.
Roughly 1.65 million people, or just over 20 per cent of the province’s population, had been displaced for a wide range of reasons.
UN Secretary-General warned of the potential for the conflict to spark a regional war, before calling for “African diplomacy to solve the problem”.
Speaking on the sidelines of the African Union Summit, António Guterres told journalists that it was “time to silence the guns, it’s time for diplomacy and dialogue. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC must be respected.”
MONUSCO, the international UN peacekeeping force in DRC, will continue to provide support, the UN chief continued, although he cautioned that “a peacekeeping force can’t solve the problem because there is no peace to keep”.
He insisted on the other hand that the conflict “will be solved if there is an effective African unit and African diplomacy to solve the problem”.
Mr. Guterres pointed to the crucial importance of efforts such as the recently held joint summit by the South African Development Community in Tanzania, which resulted in a clear pathway for an immediate ceasefire.
Fierce conflict since the start of the year has forced more than 2,500 schools and learning spaces in North Kivu and South Kivu to close, the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, said on Monday.
With schools shuttered, damaged or destroyed or turned into shelters, 795,000 children are now being deprived of education – up from 465,000 in December 2024.
“This is a desperate situation for children,” said Jean Francois Basse, UNICEF’s acting Representative in DR Congo. “Education – and the support systems it provides – is what children need to retain a sense of normalcy and to recover and rebuild after this conflict.”
UNICEF is supporting the continuity of education in eastern DRC by working with partners to set up temporary learning spaces and distribute school materials, while exploring radio-based education to reach the most children.
As part of its overall humanitarian appeal, UNICEF is seeking $52 million to meet the urgent educational needs of a staggering 480,000 children lacking access across the vast African nation.