UN relief chief Tom Fletcher continued his visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, touring conflict-hit areas in the eastern provinces where over 20 million people require humanitarian assistance.
Fletcher, who is the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, began his visit in the DRC by meeting with Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and other officials in the national capital of Kinshasa on Monday.
On Wednesday, he was in Minova, South Kivu province, where he inspected a water supply and waste management project assisting both displaced and local residents.
He also visited a mobile clinic providing healthcare to those impacted by the conflict.
Additionally, Fletcher visited the city of Sasha before traveling to Goma in North Kivu province.
In Goma, he engaged with communities and humanitarian partners to discuss the extensive humanitarian needs across the DRC.
Fletcher is expected to continue his visit in Goma on Thursday.
The conflict in eastern Congo is largely driven by the M23 rebels, who have seized significant territory since December 2024.
This includes the provincial capitals of Goma (captured in January 2025) and Bukavu (captured in February 2025) in North and South Kivu respectively, intensifying instability in a region already grappling with numerous armed groups.
The Congolese government has consistently accused neighboring Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, a claim that Kigali denies.
The UN reports that more than 7.8 million people have been displaced by the ongoing conflict.
Recent reports also indicate a potential peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda to be signed on June 27, 2025.