Renewed fighting in eastern regions of Democratic Republic of the Congo has forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee their homes, triggering a rapidly worsening humanitarian emergency across borders. In recent weeks, more than 80,000 people have crossed into neighboring Burundi, seeking safety from escalating clashes in South Kivu province. The violence has uprooted entire communities, with estimates indicating that at least half a million people are now displaced within the region. As hostilities intensify, basic services have collapsed in many areas, leaving families without access to healthcare, education, or reliable sources of income. Aid workers report that the pace of displacement continues to accelerate, placing immense pressure on already fragile humanitarian systems and deepening fears of a prolonged crisis.
The impact of the fighting on daily life in South Kivu has been severe. Health centers have been looted, medical supplies exhausted, and schools forced to shut their doors, depriving hundreds of thousands of children of education and stability. Many communities are now cut off from clean water and essential care, increasing the risk of disease and long term harm. According to humanitarian assessments, more than 391,000 children are currently out of school, a figure that underscores the generational consequences of the conflict. Families describe repeated cycles of displacement, often fleeing multiple times as violence spreads. These movements have eroded livelihoods and fractured social networks, leaving many dependent on emergency aid that struggles to keep pace with growing needs.
Across the border in Burundi, the influx of refugees has overwhelmed reception facilities. Thousands are sheltering at transit camps such as Cishemere, where conditions are deteriorating rapidly. Shortages of food, clean water, medicine, and sanitation are compounded by heavy rains, which have worsened overcrowding and living conditions. Many refugees are sleeping on bare ground in makeshift shelters that offer little protection from the elements. Women and children, including pregnant women, are among the most vulnerable, facing heightened health risks and limited access to care. Humanitarian agencies warn that the strain on resources is intensifying as Burundi now hosts nearly 200,000 refugees from the conflict.
Efforts to stem the violence have so far failed to bring relief. A peace agreement intended to reduce tensions between regional actors has not halted fighting in South and North Kivu, allowing instability to persist. Aid agencies caution that without improved security and sustained international support, the humanitarian situation will continue to deteriorate. Overcrowded camps have raised concerns about the spread of cholera, measles, and malaria, particularly among children. As displacement continues, the crisis is spilling further across borders, threatening regional stability. Calls are growing for renewed diplomatic engagement, protection of civilians, and expanded humanitarian access to prevent further loss of life and dignity.
