Answer · confidence: partial
How many people in eastern Congo have lost homes, food, or doctor care recently?
Research question: How many people are displaced, hungry or without medical care in eastern Congo today, and how have those numbers changed over the past two years?
The records show conflicting nationwide displacement figures: about 5.33 million internally displaced persons as of March 2026 6, about 6.47 million in early 2026 10, and an estimated 6.8 million in a June 2026 publication 13. For eastern Congo, the records show 3,591,162 internally displaced persons as of March 2026 7. The only hunger projection is that about one-quarter of the population would be in IPC Phase 3 or above by June 2025 without urgent assistance 2, which is over a year old and gives no current count. The records contain no current figures for people without medical care, though they note limited healthcare access at North Kivu displacement sites 15. They also provide no consistent series showing change over the past two years. The newest fact is from June 2026 13, about four months before October 2026.
Checked 2026-10-20. Only documented and supported facts are used.
Dig deeper on this questionSources
[1] supported
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has the second-highest number of internally displaced people in Africa, primarily due to armed conflict in the eastern provinces.
"The country also has the second-highest number of internally displaced people in Africa, primarily due to armed conflict in the eastern provinces."Democratic Republic of the Congo Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2025
[2] documented
Without urgent assistance, about one-quarter of the population in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is projected to be in IPC Phase 3 or above (Crisis or worse) by June 2025.
"Without urgent assistance, about one-quarter of the population is projected to be in IPC Phase 3 or above (Crisis or worse) by June 2025, with 80 percent residing in rural areas."Democratic Republic of the Congo Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2025
[3] documented
The Democratic Republic of the Congo faces a major internal displacement crisis primarily due to armed conflicts and persistent insecurity in the eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, and Tanganyika.
"La République démocratique du Congo (RDC) reste confrontée à une crise majeure de déplacements internes, principalement due aux conflits armés et à l’insécurité persistante dans les provinces de l’Est, notamment le Nord‑Kivu, le Sud‑Kivu, l’Ituri et le Tanganyika"RDC — Aperçu du Déplacement Interne 2026
[4] documented
The displacement crisis is also driven by intercommunal conflicts and climate hazards affecting certain areas in the west of the country.
"ainsi qu’aux conflits intercommunautaires et aux aléas climatiques touchant certaines zones de l’Ouest du pays."RDC — Aperçu du Déplacement Interne 2026
[5] documented
Detailed mobility tracking analyses for the eastern provinces and 16 targeted health zones in the west were conducted between November 2025 and February 2026.
"tandis que les analyses approfondies pour les provinces de l’Est et pour 16 zones de santé ciblées de l’Ouest reposent sur le Suivi de la mobilité (Mobility Tracking) mené entre novembre 2025 et février 2026."RDC — Aperçu du Déplacement Interne 2026
[6] documented
As of March 2026, there are an estimated 5,325,646 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
"RDC - APERÇU NATIONAL DU DÉPLACEMENT - MARS 2026 | | 5 325 646* | | | 87%** | | | 5 496 254 | |"PDF Oim République Démocratique Du Congo Aperçu Du Déplacement Interne
[7] documented
In the eastern region of the DRC, there are a total of 3,591,162 internally displaced persons.
"La DTM en RDC a identifié un total de 3 591 162 PDI dans la région de l'Est du pays."PDF Oim République Démocratique Du Congo Aperçu Du Déplacement Interne
[8] documented
The advancement of the M23 armed group towards Goma in North Kivu and South Kivu in 2025 and 2026 caused new displacements and secondary displacements of populations already in camps.
"L’avancée du groupe armé M23 vers Goma, au Nord-Kivu et au Sud-Kivu en 2025 et 2026, a entraîné de nouveaux déplacements, y compris des déplacements secondaires de populations déjà présentes dans des sites et camps de déplacés."PDF Oim République Démocratique Du Congo Aperçu Du Déplacement Interne
[9] supported
In May 2026, there were 61,767 displaced and returned households in eastern DRC.
"En mai 2026 , les mouvements de population sont restés importants dans l'Est de la RDC, avec 61 767 ménages déplacés et retournés."Rapport mensuel sur les déplacements - Est de la RDC | Mai 2026
[10] documented
As of early 2026, the total number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Democratic Republic of Congo is approximately 6.47 million.
"Depuis le début de l'année 2026 , plus de 74 000 personnes se sont nouvellement déplacées en RDC portant le total à environ 6,47 millions de personnes déplacées internes (PDI)."République démocratique du Congo : Personnes déplacées internes et ...
[11] supported
Women constitute 51% of the displaced population in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
"Les femmes représentent 51 % de la population déplacée."République démocratique du Congo : Personnes déplacées internes et ...
[12] supported
The Bulengo displacement camp in Goma holds roughly 100,000 people.
"environ 100 000 personnes"Camp de déplacés Bulengo
[13] supported
The DRC has an estimated 6.8 million internally displaced persons, with eastern provinces disproportionately affected.
"Ongoing armed violence and political instability have resulted in an estimated 6.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), with eastern provinces disproportionately affected"Prevalence and associated factors of mental health conditions among internally displaced persons living in a displacement camp in North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: a community-based cross-sectional study (2026)
[14] supported
The Bulengo camp's population has exceeded the 100,000 mark.
"Population de camp de déplacés de Bulengo dépasse la barre de 100 000 personnes"Camp de déplacés Bulengo
[15] supported
Displacement sites in North Kivu are characterized by limited access to healthcare and food insecurity, among other problems.
"Displacement sites in this region are characterized by overcrowding, limited access to healthcare and basic services, food insecurity and continued exposure to violence"Prevalence and associated factors of mental health conditions among internally displaced persons living in a displacement camp in North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: a community-based cross-sectional study (2026)
[16] supported
In February 2025, the M23 armed movement gave about 200,000 displaced people at the camp a 72-hour ultimatum to return to their villages, claiming peace had returned.
"le mouvement armé M23 avait donné un ultimatum de 72 heures aux environ 200 000 déplacés pour retourner dans leurs villages, affirmant que la paix y était revenue"Camp de déplacés Bulengo
[17] supported
The Bulengo camp is often overcrowded because of constant inflows of displaced people, which worsens tensions and makes access to available resources difficult.
"Le camp de Bulengo est souvent surchargé en raison des flux constants de déplacés."Camp de déplacés Bulengo