Since the attack by the M23 group, the humanitarian situation in North Kivu in the DRC has deteriorated dramatically. In view of this, Switzerland is making CHF 3 million available, of which CHF 2 million will come from emergency aid funds. The funds will provide additional support to the ICRC and other humanitarian partners on the ground who are already active in the areas of health, protection of civilians and emergency support for displaced persons. Switzerland is also making preparations to second two specialists from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit to the World Health Organization, to support the UN agency in setting up a coordination centre for emergency healthcare.
Since January 2025, the conflict has already claimed several hundred lives and injured over 3,000 people. The situation of internally displaced persons has deteriorated further: 500,000 people have been added to the 700,000 displaced persons already present in and around Goma. A total of 6.7 million people have been displaced throughout the country. Over 70% of the health facilities in North Kivu are no longer functional or are severely impaired. The hospitals that are still operational are heavily overloaded and facing a critical shortage of medical supplies. There is also a high risk of the spread of mpox, cholera and measles due to the high number of displaced people and the precarious hygiene situation.
Development cooperation projects will be continued
The FDFA is closely monitoring the situation in the east of the country and is preparing to take measures depending on developments. The office of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in Bukavu is operational. The current regional programme for the Great Lakes region focuses on conflict prevention, among other things, and therefore remains relevant. Swiss development cooperation and humanitarian aid projects in South and North Kivu are continuing as far as the current conflict allows. They are continuously updated as the situation develops. The SDC has been active in international cooperation in the DRC since the 1990s.
Switzerland strongly condemns the attack on Goma by the Rwandan-backed M23 group and the ongoing offensive in South Kivu and calls for respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC. It urges immediate de-escalation, the protection of the civilian population and compliance with international humanitarian law and calls on the DRC and Rwanda to resume dialogue.
Further information:
The Great Lakes Region (Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Address for enquiries:
FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
