Humanitarian Crisis in Eastern DRC: Massacres, Sexual Violence, and Communities Under Siege.

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The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing one of the world’s most severe and underreported humanitarian crises. In recent months, the eastern region of the country has been the scene of large-scale atrocities, with civilians at the center of targeted attacks, sexual violence, and forced displacement. International organizations are sounding the alarm, highlighting a situation marked by impunity for armed groups and the fragility of the Congolese state.

At the heart of this wave of violence is the March 23 Movement, better known as M23. Formed in 2012 by a faction of former soldiers who had previously mutinied, the group takes its name from the March 23, 2009 peace agreement, which it claims the Congolese government failed to honor. Over the years, M23 has become one of the most powerful armed movements in eastern Congo, accused of receiving support from Rwanda, allegations Kigali has consistently denied. With advanced military tactics and control over resource-rich areas, M23 has expanded its influence, leaving devastating consequences for local populations.

In July 2025, the group carried out one of its deadliest attacks in recent years. According to Human Rights Watch, at least 140 civilians were killed in a series of raids near Virunga National Park. Fifteen villages were left in ruins, with homes set ablaze, families torn apart, and hundreds forced to flee. Human rights defenders describe these attacks not as isolated events but as part of a deliberate strategy to cement control through fear and terror. The organization is calling for targeted sanctions and the deployment of independent investigators to document evidence of war crimes.

But the violence is not limited to M23. Amnesty International has gathered evidence of atrocities committed by the Wazalendo militias, which are often allied with government forces. Reports describe group rapes, abductions, and extrajudicial killings, with women and girls disproportionately targeted. Civilians are trapped between two fires: rebel offensives on one side and abuses by militias aligned with the army on the other. The result is a war waged directly against the population, where safety is almost impossible to find and violence has become part of daily life.

The conflict in eastern Congo is far from new. For decades, the region has been ravaged by cycles of violence driven by ethnic rivalries, competition over natural resources, and regional interference. Yet the atrocities of 2025 represent a dangerous escalation that has deepened an already desperate humanitarian crisis. Millions of Congolese now live as internally displaced persons, crowded into camps with little access to food, clean water, or medical care. Humanitarian organizations are urging the international community not to turn a blind eye to this forgotten tragedy, stressing the need for urgent action to stop the massacres, protect victims, and ensure accountability for those responsible.

written by Sara Maggetto