Children and women are the main victims of the ongoing clashes between the AFC/M23 and the FARDC in South Kivu
New clashes in South Kivu claim the lives of children and women
Hundreds of refugees and internally displaced people flee in panic
World Vision calls for an immediate end to hostilities and urgent protection of civilians
Kinshasa, 11 December 2025 – Fighting has resumed with alarming brutality in South Kivu province. Entire families are trapped in the midst of escalating violence.
“This reflects the darkest side of a crisis that has resurfaced and threatens all our hopes. Witnessing once again the mass displacement, among them thousands of children, towards Uvira town, Burundi, or Rwanda, as people flee empty-handed, without anything to cover themselves, eat, or drink, shows that we are heading towards a dramatic humanitarian crisis with a high risk of epidemics,” says Aline Napon, National Director of World Vision DRC.
The wounded are struggling to access care: health facilities have been destroyed, and others abandoned as staff were forced to flee. Meanwhile, children, already terrified, are exposed to heightened risks of violence, exploitation, abduction, and sexual abuse. Every passing hour without protection makes them more vulnerable.
“We welcomed the signing of peace and ceasefire agreements by all parties to the conflict, but we are deeply concerned that hostilities continue on the ground. This escalation of violence further aggravates an already disastrous humanitarian situation that has persisted for years,” she adds.
“This new humanitarian crisis is proof that the road to peace remains long,” warns David Munkley, World Vision’s Eastern Zone Operations Director.
World Vision urges all parties to respect an immediate humanitarian truce to allow families to seek safety and access life-saving assistance.
“This crisis is unfolding at a time when the humanitarian sector is affected by budget cuts and can only respond to the most urgent needs with the limited resources available. Emergency funds are essential to save lives in this area,” reminds Aline Napon.
World Vision has already begun responding to the emergency in eastern DRC and stands ready to scale up its efforts as soon as humanitarian access is secured. The organisation also continues to support displaced and returning families in North and South Kivu.
World Vision calls on the international community to remind all parties of their commitments to de-escalation and urges donors to pay urgent attention to the worsening humanitarian distress, compounded by the lack of resources to meet growing needs.
ENDS
Media contact:
- Aline Napon, National Director | World Vision DRC | +243 9700 53733 | Aline_Napon@wvi.org
- Patrick Fallah Saah, Integrated Programs Director | World Vision DRC | +243 9700 59904 | Patrick_Saah@wvi.org
- David Munkley, East Zone Director | World Vision DRC | +243974053351 | David_Munkley@wvi.org
- Patrick Abega, Communications & Public Engagement Manager | World Vision DRC +243993692903 | Patrick_Abega@wvi.org
- Pamela Koloni Chama, Communications and Public Engagement Director I World Vision Southern Africa I +260977782399 I pamela_chama@wvi.org
- Eddie Palula, Regional Humanitarian Emergency Affairs Director, World Vision Southern Africa | + 260 970937842 | eddie_palula@wvi.org