© UNHCR/Benjamin Loyseau

UNHCR’s presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been established since 1975.  

 

As of February 2015, some 221,737 refugees (mainly from Rwanda, Central African Republic -CAR-, Burundi) are hosted in DRC; which is also home to 2,715,185 IDPs while 467,102 Congolese refugees live in neighboring countries. 

 

UNHCR is providing assistance and protection to person of concern through 13 offices.

 

News and stories about the Democratic Republic of Congo

As beloved imam passes, his hopes for peace live on

For decades, Imam Moussa Bawa worked with Italian nun Sister Maria Concetta to help refugees of all faiths to live in peace. On his death, his successor pledges to continue his work.

21 Sep 2016

Popole makes history – twice – at Rio Games

Congolese judoka wins hearts among fellow refugees and Brazilians with tough story of triumph over adversity.

12 Aug 2016

Ahead of Rio 2016, capoeira brings a taste of Brazil to DRC

After fleeing violence in CAR refugees focus hopes on Refugee Olympic Team as they practice Brazilian martial art combining dance, acrobatics and music.

4 Aug 2016

Fresh fighting drives displacement in eastern DR Congo

UNHCR is extremely worried about the welfare of some 36,000 people forced to flee four camps in North Kivu and who are reported to be in a desperate situation.

13 Apr 2016

Guitars from Malawi camp hit right note with musicians around the world

Hidden among the dirt footpaths of Dzaleka refugee camp, Patron Palushong can be found carving his signature product.

6 Apr 2016

The most important thing

They fled Angola nearly empty-handed. Now finally returning home, some after decades in exile, 11 refugees present their most cherished belongings.

5 Feb 2016

Fighting in eastern DRC forces thousands to flee

Clashes between militias, rebel groups since November have driven tens of thousands of people from their homes.

29 Jan 2016

Congolese refugees flee new South Sudan fighting

Renewed insecurity in Equatoria states forces refugees to flee again and aid groups to leave temporarily.

28 Jan 2016

Congo border town helps Central African neighbours in need

Since 2013, residents, teachers and medics in Zongo, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have helped refugees fleeing violence in the Central African Republic.

14 Jan 2016

Refugee and sexual violence survivor restores hope in Rwanda

Refugee from Democratic Republic of the Congo draws on her experience of sexual and gender-based violence to help others in Rwanda overcome abuse.

7 Dec 2015

Attacks on foreigners in South Africa expose refugee women to new dangers

DURBAN, South Africa, Oct 20 (UNHCR) - When Congolese refugee Faiza Lugi saw the mob toting machetes and heavy knobkerrie sticks surge down the main street in this port city chanting anti-foreigner slogans,...

20 Oct 2015

Six years on, Congolese refugees who fled LRA return home from CAR

Violence in neighbouring Anbar forced civilians from their homes, hundreds of whom trickled into his neighbourhood in Baghdad's western Mansour district.

3 Aug 2015

Refugee student's hard work pays off with scholarship to study in USA

A young Congolese refugee in Zimbabwe achieves his dream of going to university with a scholarship awarded by the US government.

7 Jul 2015

UNHCR condemns kidnapping of Congolese refugees by LRA rebels

Refugees were living in a camp in the Central African Republic after fleeing previous violence by the Lord's Resistance Army

27 Mar 2015

A Camp Becomes a Village

As hopes fade for peace back home, many survivors opt to settle for good in Katanga Province. The host community responds with open arms.

23 Feb 2015

Fire and Rain

A rebel attack six years ago drove Célestine from her home. Last month she was uprooted again, when hundreds of shelters were set ablaze.

22 Jan 2015

As one year ends, Central African refugees make a wish for 2015

Four refugees and two aid workers at a camp in northern Democratic Republic of the Congo tell UNHCR of their hopes and goals for the coming year.

8 Jan 2015

Eastern Congo's Beni region rocked by killings, rights abuses and fear

UNHCR calls for humanitarian access to the Beni area of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo amid a deteriorating security and human rights situation.

19 Dec 2014