Disaster Response Congo, Democratic Republic of the Project #68760

Urgent Action: Aid for the Eastern DR Congo Crisis

by Terra Renaissance

Project Report | Jun 3, 2025
Urgent Aid Needed for Congo's Humanitarian Crisis

By Ai Igarashi | Member of Advocacy Team

To our incredible supporters,

We are profoundly grateful for your unwavering compassion and generosity. Your commitment to humanitarian efforts allows us to bring critical aid to those suffering immensely in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thank you for being a beacon of hope in these challenging times.

Welcome to our June 2025 report update! As the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues, we want to share the vital work your support is enabling and the urgent needs that remain.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a severe humanitarian crisis fueled by ongoing conflict and relentless violence. Innocent civilians are caught in the crossfire, suffering injuries from battles and bombings. The M23 offensive, which began in January, has resulted in a devastating loss of life, with over 7,000 reported deaths by late February. As the conflict continues to spread, Uvira Hospital is overwhelmed by a constant influx of wounded civilians, many with severe injuries. The hospital's capacity is stretched to its limits, leaving critically ill patients without proper beds and therefore forcing them to receive treatment on the bare floor due to a desperate shortage. Existing facilities are often damaged and unsanitary, worsening the health crisis.

Beyond conflict-related injuries, the region was already grappling with endemic infectious diseases like malaria, typhoid fever, cholera, and Mpox. The current conflict has dramatically increased the number of patients suffering from these illnesses. Doctors report that impoverished residents and displaced people are struggling to get adequate nutrition, making vulnerable children particularly susceptible to severe diarrhea and other infections.

Furthermore, this brutal conflict has led to an unprecedented surge in sexual violence against women and girls. UNICEF reported a staggering 10,000 cases of sexual violence in the region between January and February this year. Uvira Hospital is currently treating 125 rape victims, who seek treatment after surviving horrific sexual violence.

Our project is working directly with Uvira Hospital to provide critical, life-saving support to those most affected by this crisis. We have delivered essential aid to address the most urgent needs:

Increasing Bed Capacity: We provided mattresses to establish 20 additional beds, creating much-needed space in the hospital. We also helped set up makeshift tents for the influx of wounded patients. This helps ensure that even the most severely injured patients receive dignified care, rather than being left on the bare floor.
Supplying Medical Equipment and Medications: We have provided essential surgical instruments like scalpels and catheters for critical operations, vital blood transfusion equipment, and basic but crucial consumables such as syringes, bandages, and medical gloves. Additionally, we've supplied vital medications, including antipyretics, analgesics, and a range of antibiotics, to treat infectious diseases and support the recovery of sexual violence survivors. These supplies will help treat at least the 128 current inpatients and an estimated 500 to 1,000 outpatients.
Providing Basic Necessities: We have also been providing food and soap to patients and their families.

Why Your Donation is Urgently Needed Now

The situation on the ground is dire, and the needs are immediate. The ongoing conflict continues to cause injuries and displacement, overwhelming the limited medical resources available. Infectious diseases are spreading, and survivors of sexual violence require urgent medical and psychological support. Without immediate assistance, more lives are at risk.

Your contribution can make a tangible difference:

A donation can help provide essential medical supplies like bandages and antibiotics to treat wounded patients and those suffering from infections.
Your support can contribute to providing mattresses and bedding, ensuring dignity and basic care for those recovering in the hospital.
Funds can help supply vital medications needed to treat the overwhelming number of sexual violence survivors.

In the DRC, where immediate humanitarian assistance is critically needed, Terra Renaissance is dedicated to providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations in crisis zones. We work directly with trusted local partners, like Uvira Hospital, to ensure aid reaches those who need it most efficiently and effectively. We are committed to transparency and accountability in how your generous donations are used.

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Mar 6, 2025
Update: Emergency Humanitarian Assistance in Uvira

By Misa Ito | Member of Advocacy Team

Our Staff (right photo) Meeting With Mayor Ubilla

On Wednesday, February 26, we met with the mayor of Uvira, a city in eastern Congo, to initiate the first phase of emergency assistance.

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Our organization, Terra Renaissance, is based in Bukavu, while Uvira lies to the south, near the Burundi border. Several of our local staff members have temporarily relocated from Bukavu to Uvira to provide urgent humanitarian aid.

Following their advance through Bukavu, M23 forces moved south and launched attacks on Uvira as well. At one point, gunfire erupted in the city center, forcing us to suspend planned aid operations temporarily. For their safety, staff members were confined to their shelter, unable to leave.

As of February 26, banks and gas stations in Uvira remain closed, but the situation has stabilized enough for us to resume emergency assistance.

During our meeting, the mayor of Uvira expressed deep gratitude for our swift response in such a difficult time. He also acknowledged our ongoing waterway improvement project, which empowers local residents by equipping them with cobblestone manufacturing skills to enhance resilience against future crises.

Despite the challenges on the ground, we were able to meet with the mayor and city officials to inform them of our planned support efforts.

Providing Critical Aid to Hospitals

Our next priority is delivering essential aid to a hospital in Uvira, where many people —injured or displaced by the attacks—are seeking urgent care. We will provide emergency relief supplies.

We are committed to ensuring that this assistance reaches those in need while keeping our staff’s safety as our highest priority.

Your Support Makes This Possible

The ability to act quickly in times of crisis is only possible because of your generous support. We will continue to update you on the progress of our assistance efforts and the impact on the hospitals and communities we serve.

Your continued interest and solidarity mean everything to us. Thank you for standing with us during this critical time.

Inside City Hall, Ravaged By the Attack

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Mar 6, 2025
Message from Theophie Chisibanzi, Director of the Congo Office

By Misa Ito | Member of Advocacy Team

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