DR Congo: UNICEF Democratic Republic of Congo Humanitarian Situation Report No. 1, 30 June 2026
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: UN Children's Fund Please refer to the attached file. Highlights The humanitarian situation remained highly complex, driven by armed conflict, displacement, food insecurity, malnutrition, disease outbreaks and climatic shocks. By 30 June, 1.7 million people have been newly displaced in 4 provinces of eastern DRC. The epidemiological situation remained critical, with cholera transmission and the declaration of the 17th Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Ituri in May, requiring adaptation of humanitarian operations and strengthened infection prevention and control. Key achievements included measles vaccination for 336,332 children, treatment of nearly 169,000 children with severe acute malnutrition, WASH assistance to 236,465 people, and reaching 1.15 million people within 48 hours around suspected cholera cases. Following the declaration of the Ebola outbreak in early May, UNICEF supported the government in setting the Ebola response plan, taking key lead roles in the RCCE, IPC and CBS pillars, harmonizing guidance and implementation approaches, and promoting partner alignment across affected health zones. [...] SITUATION OVERVIEW ANDHUMANITARIAN NEEDS The humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remained highly complex during the first half of 2026, with multiple, overlapping crises continuing to affect millions of people, particularly women and children. Escalating armed conflict, recurrent population displacement, widespread food insecurity, disease outbreaks and climatic shocks further increased humanitarian needs while constraining access to essential services and humanitarian assistance. According to OCHA, 1.7 million people have been newly displaced during the first semester 2026. The security situation continued to deteriorate in eastern DRC, particularly in North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri, where armed violence, clashes, attacks against civilians and repeated displacement disrupted livelihoods, basic social services and humanitarian operations. Tanganyika also continued to experience localized insecurity and population movements. In several conflict- affected areas, insecurity, the presence and activities of armed groups, restrictions on movement, attacks and interference affecting humanitarian operations, and insecurity along key access routes severely constrained humanitarian access. These challenges delayed or disrupted the delivery of assistance and reduced the ability of humanitarian actors to reach vulnerable populations in some of the most affected and hard- to- reach areas. The operating environment for humanitarian personnel also became increasingly challenging and dangerous. During the first half of 2026, humanitarian workers and volunteers were killed in several incidents, including UNICEF staff member in Goma and Red Cross volunteers in South Kivu. Such incidents, together with threats, attacks and other security incidents affecting humanitarian personnel and operations, further constrained humanitarian space and highlighted the increasing risks faced by those delivering life- saving assistance. The combination of insecurity, access restrictions and operational constraints particularly affected populations in areas where humanitarian needs were most acute. The epidemiological situation remained of major concern. Cholera transmission persisted across several provinces, with more than 29,265 suspected cases and 643 deaths reported by epidemiological week 26. In May 2026, the declaration of the 17th Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Ituri Province added another layer of humanitarian complexity, requiring rapid adaptation of sectoral responses, reinforcement of infection prevention and control measures, and integration of Ebola- specific preparedness and response activities across humanitarian programmes. Insecurity, population movements and limited access further complicated disease surveillance, case detection, prevention and response activities. Food insecurity and acute malnutrition remained among the principal drivers of humanitarian needs. Continued displacement, reduced agricultural production, market disruptions and limited access to essential health, nutrition and WASH services heightened the risk of acute malnutrition among children under five and pregnant and breastfeeding women, particularly in conflict- affected and hard- to- reach areas. The cumulative impact of conflict, displacement, disease outbreaks, economic pressures and climatic shocks continued to erode household coping capacities and increase protection risks for children and women. Despite these challenges, UNICEF and its partners maintained life- saving humanitarian operations through integrated multisectoral interventions. Humanitarian assistance combined rapid response mechanisms, including UniRR and CATI, nutrition, WASH, child protection, education in emergencies and humanitarian cash transfers, while reinforcing preparedness, anticipatory action and community resilience. Coordination mechanisms led or co- led by UNICEF, including the Nutrition, WASH, Education and NFI coordination platforms, continued to support evidence- based planning, partner coordination and adaptive programming in response to evolving needs and access constraints. Nevertheless, humanitarian needs continued to outpace available resources and operational capacity. Persistent insecurity, attacks and threats affecting humanitarian personnel, humanitarian access constraints, logistical challenges and significant funding gaps reduced the scale, timeliness and coverage of interventions in several priority areas. During the second half of 2026, sustained efforts to preserve humanitarian space, facilitate safe and principled access to affected populations, protect humanitarian personnel and assets, and secure adequate and flexible resources will remain essential to ensure that the most vulnerable children and families receive timely, life- saving assistance.
ReliefWeb•UN Children's Fund18 Sept
