Supporting families in crisis: emergency relief in North and South Kivu, DRC

The humanitarian crisis unfolding in the South and North Kivu regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to exact a devastating toll on communities in situation of vulnerability. In particular, the city of Minova and the nearby village of Bobandana have borne the brunt of the ongoing armed conflict, which has led to mass displacement, the collapse of local economies, food insecurity, the breakdown of healthcare infrastructure, and the widespread disruption of educational services. Minova’s strategic position between Lake Kivu and the mountains has made it both a refuge for displaced populations and a focal point in the conflict dynamics.

Originally home to around 50,000 people, Minova now hosts over 300,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), straining its infrastructure and resources. The resurgence of the M23 rebel group and their takeover of the town in January 2025 has worsened the humanitarian crisis, depleting medical supplies and increasing cases of sexual violence. Children are especially affected, with disrupted education and heightened exposure to disease due to inadequate water and sanitation. The conflict has also crippled agriculture and local markets, leading to widespread food insecurity among both displaced and host communities.

In response to this situation, the Marist Brothers of the Democratic Republic of Congo together with the East Central Africa Marist Province and in collaboration with FMSI (Marist International Solidarity Foundation), have launched an emergency intervention aimed at supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs), families in situation of vulnerability, orphans, and those without the means to meet their most basic needs. This one-month initiative focuses on the distribution of essential food and hygiene kits to 362 families (approximately 1,448 individuals), with a specific emphasis on restoring dignity and safeguarding the health and well-being of children, women, and the elderly. The project addresses four critical challenges: severe food insecurity (exacerbated by conflict-related disruptions to agriculture and local markets); lack of access to education (which has left thousands of children out of school and at risk of exploitation and recruitment by armed groups); fragile healthcare systems (unable to respond to the rising number of waterborne diseases and conflict-related injuries); inadequate housing (with many families forced to live in makeshift shelters). The intervention is not only delivering immediate life-saving relief but also creating the foundations for long-term community recovery. Through inclusive decision-making and the active involvement of local leaders and stakeholders, the project strengthens community resilience and fosters a spirit of solidarity in the face of ongoing adversity.  Although the current assistance is focused on South Kivu, there are plans to extend support to North Kivu in the near future.

The Marist presence in the area is rooted and committed: the Marist Brothers currently run 8 schools in the region. Over the years, FMSI has supported and collaborated with several educational institutions in the DRC, including: • CS Bobokoli, Kinshasa: Institut Bobokoli, EP1 Bobokoli, EP2 Bobokoli; CS Mobateli, Kinshasa: Institut Marcellin Mobateli, Primary Mobateli, Nursery Mobateli • Complexe Scolaire Weza (Primaire et Secondaire), Nyangezi • Institut Charles Lwanga, Minova • Institut de L’Enano, Kindu • GSSMA (Groupe Scolaire Sainte Marie), Kisangani: Institut Chololo, ITI Chololo, EP Mwangaza, EP 1 Chololo, EP 2 Chololo 

To support this vital work, FMSI has launched a fundraising campaign which, to date, has raised €48,560.00 through the generosity of both Marist (including the contribution of the Global Marist Family Fund) and non-Marist donors. This support has been instrumental in expanding the reach and impact of the emergency assistance provided.

how can you help

Contributions to the campaign are still welcome and urgently needed. You can support our emergency efforts in the DRC by: • Making a direct donation via FMSI official website • Sharing the campaign within your networks to help us reach more potential donors; • Partnering with us as an organization to co-finance future phases of humanitarian response.

Your support can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who are suffering.

As we respond to the urgent humanitarian needs in the DRC, we as Marists do not forget the other crises unfolding around the world—where children and the most vulnerable continue to bear the heaviest burden. Our hearts and prayers are with those suffering in Gaza, where the prolonged war continues to devastate communities and disrupt the lives of millions, especially children. We remember the crisis in Myanmar, where civil unrest has driven countless families into displacement. In Ukraine, ongoing conflict has left families shattered and infrastructure in ruins. In Cameroon, violence and instability have similarly led to mass displacements. 

In all these places, the suffering of the innocent calls us to remain committed to our mission of compassion, justice, and solidarity.