IOM Raises Alarm Over Displacement of Hundreds of Thousands in Goma, DRC

Kinshasa, 31 January 2025 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM), is deeply concerned about the hundreds of thousands of civilians displaced over the last few days in Goma, North Kivu Province, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).  An upsurge in heavy fighting and violence in recent days has forced people– some already previously displaced – out of their homes. IOM is appealing to the international community to recognize the staggering scale of the crisis, and to support the humanitarian needs of those displaced.   

“Millions of people were already displaced by years of conflict in eastern DRC, and humanitarian needs were massive. With the current alarming upsurge in fighting, an already dire situation is rapidly becoming very much worse,” said Amy Pope, IOM Director General. “IOM joins the UN Secretary-General’s call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and full humanitarian access, so that we can rapidly scale up our response and ensure that life-saving aid reaches those in need.”   

On January 23, intense clashes broke out between the M23 armed group and government forces in Goma and nearby Sake, as well as in South Kivu towns such as Minova.  The fighting occurred near densely populated camps sheltering tens of thousands of internally displaced people, including women and children.    

Several displacement sites, including on the outskirts of Goma, where over 300,000 displaced persons have sought refuge, have been partially or completely emptied as families fled the fighting. Those displaced urgently need shelter, food, clean water, medical assistance, and protection services for women and children. Essential items like blankets, mats and cooking utensils are also in critical demand.   

IOM has been supporting displaced and host communities in Goma and the surrounding areas by providing emergency shelter, water; sanitation, and hygiene assistance, camp co-ordination and management services, and monitoring population movements through IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix.    

However, the organization and other humanitarian partners are struggling to meet the urgent needs of displaced communities amidst the insecurity and the limited funding.  Escalating violence has forced IOM and other humanitarian organizations to suspend operations in the most affected areas, cutting off lifesaving aid to thousands.   

Without immediate humanitarian access and additional funding, response efforts will be paralyzed. By the end of 2024, only 51 per cent of the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan had been funded to respond to the protracted conflict. The current 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for DRC appeals for USD 2.5 billion with at least USD 50 million urgently needed as a result of this new wave of displacement, to scale up life-saving humanitarian assistance and prevent further suffering.   

Given the scale of the crisis, IOM calls for comprehensive response across humanitarian, development, and peace sectors through stronger partnerships and putting communities at the center.   

IOM’s top strategic objective is to save lives, protect people on the move and find solutions to internally displaced populations by providing urgent essential needs inside their homelands otherwise people will have no choice but to cross borders. In 2024, the organization provided life-saving support to almost 32 million people in 168 countries and expanded programs supporting internally displaced persons in over 20 countries around the world.   

For more information, please contact  

In Kinshasa: Daco Tambilika, dtambilika@iom.int,    

In Nairobi: Yvonne Ndege, yndege@iom.int   

In Geneva: Kennedy Okoth, kokoth@iom.int