Recent fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has forced over 100,000 people to flee their homes in the past week, according to the United Nations.
The M23 rebel group seized control of the key town of Masisi in North Kivu province on Saturday, triggering a wave of displacement. Intense clashes between the M23 and the Congolese army have severely impacted the region, with an estimated 102,000 people displaced as of January 3rd.
Masisi, a town rich in agriculture, livestock, and minerals, is home to approximately 40,000 people. While relative calm returned on January 5th, prompting some displaced families to begin returning, the humanitarian situation remains dire. Over 600,000 people were already displaced in Masisi as of November 30th. 
The M23, a Tutsi-led rebel group, has seized control of vast swathes of eastern DRC since 2021, displacing thousands and triggering a significant humanitarian crisis.
Tensions remain high despite ongoing peace efforts. Angola-mediated talks between DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame were abruptly canceled in mid-December, hindering progress towards a resolution.
The eastern DRC has been plagued by decades of conflict involving numerous armed groups. This ongoing instability has had a devastating impact on the region, causing widespread displacement and suffering.
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