A senior UN official has warned that President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend foreign aid poses a severe challenge to humanitarian efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Bruno Lemarquis, the UN’s deputy special representative for the DRC, described the situation as volatile, citing escalating armed clashes, mass displacement, and increasing insecurity across the eastern regions of North Kivu and South Kivu.
Speaking during a virtual news conference, he highlighted the growing humanitarian crisis, fueled by the resurgence of M23 rebels and the alleged involvement of Rwandan defense forces in the conflict.
Lemarquis reported that since January, M23 forces have advanced at an alarming rate, even claiming control of Goma, a key city in North Kivu.
Medical shortages are worsening, raising fears of epidemics, including cholera and mpox, as humanitarian operations struggle to reach vulnerable populations.
“The Goma airport, our main humanitarian lifeline, remains closed, making it nearly impossible to deliver essential supplies to those in need,” he said.
Lemarquis identified three main challenges: looting of UN facilities, restricted access to Goma, and the abrupt suspension of US foreign aid.
“The DRC was the largest recipient of US humanitarian assistance in 2024, receiving $910 million from the US alone,” he said.
With the US contributing 70% of humanitarian funding for the DRC, the sudden halt in aid has severely impacted UN agencies and international NGOs operating on the ground.
Since January 26, more than 3,000 people have been killed, 2,880 injured, and over 500,000 displaced, adding to the 6.4 million already uprooted by violence.
While Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of backing M23 rebels, Kigali continues to deny involvement in the escalating crisis.