Democratic Republic of the Congo

Mass displacement, food insecurity and disease outbreaks in the context of recurrent violence between an array of armed groups are among the many humanitarian challenges facing the DRC.

Health centre pillaged by M23 rebels
As reported on 07 April 2023: In Birambizo locality, Bukombo grouping, Rutshuru territory, North Kivu province, March 23 Movement militants pillaged a local health centre and a hospital of health supplies and equipment before withdrawing from the area. Source: Radio Moto Return to DRC home page more
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Social Media Monitoring

Insecurity Insight monitors and examines social media to identify when it is used to spread false information and incite violence against aid providers. In the DRC, social media has been used during Ebola outbreaks to spread doubt about the intentions of the health responders and at times to incite violence against the Ebola programme as well as the wider aid sector.

We also collaborate with Rootwise and the Congo Humanitarian Analysis Team at Mercy Corps to develop and exploit community perception data in the DRC. Using best practice techniques for social listening and media monitoring, the joint collaboration’s innovative multisource approach brings together social media and radio data to provide rapid, corroborated insight derived from local concerns and expressions of need.

Health Care

Insecurity Insight monitors attacks on health care in the DRC. Our data is available for download here.

Based on Insecurity Insight data, the DRC country chapter of the 2021 annual report of the Safeguarding Health in Conflict Coalition identified at least 127 incidents of violence against or obstruction of health care in the eastern part of the DRC that year. Incidents included the looting of vital medical supplies and the kidnapping and injury of health workers. The chapter is accessible here.

Sexual Violence

Sexual violence in the DRC is widespread, particularly in rural communities. Perpetrators of sexual violence include unidentified armed group, various mai-mai militia groups, soldiers of the DRC and South Sudanese armed forces.


Following the 10th Ebola outbreak in the Eastern part of DRC in August 2018, reports of widespread sexual exploitation, harassment and abuse emerged. Insecurity Insight’s analysis report highlights some of the key learnings on reporting sexual violence, exploitation and abuse from the DRC’s 10th Ebola response. We also work with local organisations in the DRC to strengthen reporting and monitoring of incidents of sexual violence.

Education

Attacks on schools, teachers and students pose a significant threat to education in the DRC. Reflecting the gravity of the problem, it was reported in May 2023 that over 150 schools in North Kivu province in the east of the DRC had been attacked by armed groups since January with some of these schools rendered inoperable.

Insecurity Insight documents such incidents. Our data is available for download here.