Tensions persisted in areas in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with armed clashes observed mainly in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Ituri also experienced a severe resurgence of insecurity, forcing new population movements.
Approximately 10.3 million people are facing acute food insecurity in eastern DRC, which negatively impacts reproductive health by limiting access to maternal care, and increasing rates of malnutrition, which poses a serious threat to pregnant and breastfeeding women and their babies. Food insecurity also heightens the risk of sexual violence and exploitation, and often forces difficult choices, such as prioritizing food over healthcare or engaging in transactional sex for basic needs.
Comprehensive services for the clinical management of rape remain largely inaccessible to survivors of sexual violence, particularly due to the low availability of post-rape kits. For the period from August through the end of November, the projected need exceeds 23,000 individuals. Across the 34 health zones in North Kivu province, available post-rape kits were sufficient to treat only 845 survivors, revealing a critical gap in supply and severely limiting the capacity of health facilities to respond.
During August, UNFPA and partners delivered sexual and reproductive health services and information to 48,700 people across North Kivu, South Kivu, Tanganyika, and Ituri provinces, as well as provided gender-based violence prevention and response activities to more than 73,100 people, predominantly women and girls. 11,175 people also received integrated mental health and psychosocial support. However, with only about half the funding received of the US$42.3 million UNFPA requires for DRC in 2025, additional support is urgently needed to maintain the delivery of life-saving interventions for women, girls and young people.
