icon icon icon icon icon icon icon

CARE statement on DRC ceasefire agreement

There is a glimmer of hope for the people of Eastern DRC following the announcement of a humanitarian ceasefire by the Alliance of Rebel Groups. This creates a vital opportunity for CARE and its partners to reach affected communities, assess urgent needs, and deliver life-saving aid in Eastern DRC. The recent surge in conflict has had devastating consequences, with the UN reporting more than 900 deaths and over 2,900 injuries. Since January, at least 400,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, many for the second or third time. This relentless displacement and increase in fighting has been particularly traumatic, especially for women and girls who face heightened risks in crises like this and immense psychological distress.

To alleviate the ongoing suffering, we urge all parties to uphold this ceasefire and commit to a sustainable peace that allows for the sustained delivery of critical humanitarian aid and the protection of human rights. We call for the full and uninterrupted restoration of essential services like water and electricity in Goma. We also urge the donor community to scale up aid for the forcibly displaced and strengthen protection for those most vulnerable—especially women and children. Local actors, particularly women-led organizations, must have a central role in shaping and leading the response. This recent escalation has only worsened the suffering of people in the region, which is already experiencing one of the largest displacement crises in the world.

Let us seize this moment of ceasefire to foster peace, protect lives, and restore dignity to those who have suffered far too long.

– Maina Kingori, Acting Country Director for CARE DRC

Back to Top