DRC overview

A complex emergency has persisted in DRC for more than 20 years. Conflict is between foreign, self-defence, and other armed groups, and mainly impacting the eastern provinces. Access remains volatile in the east, and lack of infrastructure is a general problem across the country. Fighting and insecurity is mostly affecting populations in Sud- and Nord-Kivu, Ituri, Maniema, Tanganyika, and Haut-Katanga provinces. Since mid-August 2016, the security situation in the Kasai region has significantly deteriorated due to attacks by Kamuina Nsapu militia, and clashes between FARDC and the militia. Health is a priority need due to recurrent measles, cholera, and malaria outbreaks, and protection concerns are high. 

The presidential election, postponed from December 2016 to the end of 2017, has been rescheduled for December 2018. At least 50 people died in election-related violence in 2016.