U.S. Pledges $414 Million in Humanitarian Aid for DRC Amid Rising Crisis

The United States has announced nearly $414 million in humanitarian aid for the Democratic Republic of Congo, addressing urgent needs like food, healthcare, and sanitation for over 25 million people. The funding brings total U.S. support since October to $838 million as multiple conflicts displace millions.

The United States announced on Wednesday a nearly $414 million humanitarian aid package for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where more than 25 million people are in dire need of assistance, representing nearly a quarter of the nation’s population.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture, Jeffrey Prescott, said a significant portion of the funds would assist UN agencies and various aid groups offering urgent food aid, healthcare, nutrition, shelter, water, sanitation, and hygiene support.

“This funding also includes direct support for agricultural commodities from American farmers,” Prescott announced, alongside U.S. Ambassador to the DRC Lucy Tamlyn, in Kinshasa.

This new funding pushes total U.S. financial support for the DRC since October to $838 million. The humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by conflict, including the battle between Congo’s army and M23 insurgents since 2022, which has displaced 1.7 million people, contributing to a record 7.2 million individuals displaced within the country.

The UN has an ongoing appeal for $2.6 billion in aid for the DRC this year, though it remains only one-third funded. The World Health Organization has warned that over one million children in the DRC are at risk of acute malnutrition.

Prescott expressed hopes that this U.S. contribution would prompt other nations to also provide assistance. Additionally, the U.S. will offer $10 million for health assistance and supply 50,000 mpox vaccines to the DRC.

Mpox, a viral infection that can spread via close contact, has led to 27,000 recorded cases and over 1,100 deaths—predominantly among children—in the DRC since the beginning of 2023. The disease typically causes flu-like symptoms and lesions, but can sometimes be fatal.