Humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC: armed violence and religious persecution

The eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by violence from armed groups, such as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), linked to the Islamic State. These groups have perpetrated deadly attacks against civilian communities, especially Christians, in provinces such as North Kivu.

In February 2025, an attack in the village of Kasanga resulted in the deaths of at least 70 people, according to reports from the organization Open Doors. The victims were kidnapped and later murdered in a local church. This incident is part of a series of similar attacks in the region.

The violence has led to massive displacement. It is estimated that more than 6.9 million people have been displaced in the DRC, many of them in the eastern provinces. Affected communities face the destruction of homes, looting, and the closure of essential infrastructure.

The European Parliament has condemned the attacks and urged the European Union to contribute to international efforts to disrupt the financing networks of these armed groups. It has also called for the creation of a special tribunal to prosecute the atrocities committed in eastern DRC.

Organizations such as Trinitarian International Solidarity (TIS) have called on the international community to ensure the protection of affected communities and provide necessary support to displaced persons. The situation in eastern DRC remains critical, with entire communities at risk due to persistent insecurity and a lack of resources.