UNFPA Democratic Republic of the Congo Situation Report - Humanitarian Response Scale up: Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu Provinces (01-31 August 2023)

Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health services in the DRC is exceptionally difficult, particularly for women and girls. Approximately 220,000 women are currently pregnant, with 55,000 expected to give birth in the next three months. These women urgently require access to maternal and newborn health services. Even before the recent increase in violence, the country's healthcare infrastructure was fragile, and DRC had one of the world's highest maternal mortality rates.

Sexual violence has significantly increased in Eastern DRC in 2023. Women and girls living in displacement camps have reported heightened risks of rape and sexual assault, aggravated by the necessity to venture outside the camps for basic supplies and daily activities. There are reports of displaced women and girls being forced into trading sex for survival, even within the camps. Access to comprehensive medical and psychosocial support for survivors of sexual violence is limited, particularly for those seeking legal assistance or socio-economic support.

UNFPA has scaled up its humanitarian efforts, providing lifesaving services and supplies. UNFPA is also leading the Gender-Based Violence Area of Responsibility and the Sexual and Reproductive Health Working Group to coordinate and address these pressing issues in the affected areas.