Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains one of the most complex and protracted humanitarian crises in the world.
Overview
In early 2025, fighting between the Congolese government and M23 intensified in North and South Kivu, further compounding an already dire humanitarian situation. The rebel group seized control of Goma and Bukavu, and now holds large parts of both provinces, displacing over 500,000 people and triggering deadly clashes across contested areas. Despite ongoing peace talks, there has been little progress, and the front-lines remain fluid, leaving civilians in a constant state of fear and instability.
Access to affected populations is severely limited, while significant funding cuts – particularly from USAID – have forced many humanitarian actors to scale back or suspend operations. These challenges are having significant impacts on people’s lives and livelihoods and eroding trust between aid actors and communities.
Our work
Since August 2022, we have been working in the DRC with the overarching goal of strengthening accountability to affected populations through independent monitoring, dialogue and advocacy.
From 2022 to 2024, we supported the humanitarian response by gathering and amplifying the perceptions of crisis-affected people. Using a mix of quantitative and qualitative data collection, community dialogue, and evidence-based advocacy, we helped humanitarian actors better integrate community feedback into their programming. Insights from this work contributed to global learning through targeted events and communications aimed at policymakers and practitioners.
This initiative was implemented in partnership with UNICEF and USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), and in collaboration with OCHA DRC.
“Humanitarians need to do more regular checks on their programmes. It’s been a year and a half now since we have received any food aid. We are only being assisted with hygiene kits, but we desperately need food.”
In early 2025, the context in eastern DRC changed dramatically. Conflict escalated in North and South Kivu, and USAID funding cuts led to the sudden halt of key projects, deepening the crisis for already vulnerable communities.
In response to the aid cuts, Ground Truth Solutions conducted a rapid scoping with local researchers and community members in Bukavu and Goma. Two urgent themes emerged:
Rising risk of mass recruitment by armed groups: With USAID-funded projects halted, thousands lost their jobs overnight. For many, armed groups are now seen as the only viable economic option.
“People may be forced to take up arms to survive. ”
Danger of growing mistrust toward aid actors: The funding cuts left communities feeling abandoned. There is real concern that returning agencies may be met with hostility.
“If the same organisation comes back, people may greet it with scepticism or anger.”
With support from the H2H Network, Ground Truth Solutions launched a new project in April 2025, strengthening its focus on community-led protection. Focusing on returnee areas across North Kivu and South Kivu, the project builds on our previous work and provides real-time, community-driven data on protection risks and needs in eastern DRC. One core element of the project brings community members and local aid actors into direct conversation, creating space for joint analysis and locally grounded solutions that can guide more adaptive humanitarian responses.
Our goal remains the same: to ensure that the voices of affected people are not only heard – but acted upon.
Donors
UNICEF, USAID BHA
Project partners
OCHA, UNICEF, Victims Hope
