View this mail in your browser

DRC | Escalation of fighting compounds existing vulnerabilities 

Goma, Ep Neema / Don Bosco site before before and after the intensification of the crisis at the end of January 2025 

Eastern DRC is a vast region, home to over 100 million people. As of November 2024, nearly 6.9 million people have been displaced, making it one of the largest displacement crises globally. The conflict between the Congolese government and the M23 armed group, intensifying since January 2025, especially around Goma in North Kivu, has further escalated humanitarian needs. 

Although the determination and strength of the people of eastern DRC remains a powerful force, the ongoing challenges in food security, shelter, and the WASH sector have reached critical levels. An informed and coordinated humanitarian response based on people's needs is essential for addressing the priorities of those most affected by the crisis. To support the response, IMPACT launched a thread to regularly share updates and products on the situation. You can also consult the documents directly below (in French): 

• Abandon des sites de déplacés dans les Zones de Santé de Karisimbi and Nyiragongo au 3 février 2025

• Dynamiques de déplacements - Masisi 14 - 22 janvier : Aperçu de la situation | Carte

• Aperçu de l’Indice des Besoins Multi-Sectoriels 2024 (MSNI)

In this rapidly changing context, further assessments are needed to address information gap and strengthen the evidence-based humanitarian programming in DRC. To stay updated on new publications, sign up to our resource centre or check regularly our thread.  

Syria | Unpacking the effects of thirteen years of crisis: a snapshot of humanitarian needs in post-Assad Syria

Photo credit: OCHA/Ali Haj Suleiman

The military campaign launched on 27 November by opposition factions led to the overthrow of the Assad government, marking the most significant shift in the country’s political landscape since the onset of the civil war in 2011. This development follows thirteen years of conflict, repeated displacement and international isolation, leaving Syria facing economic stagnation, underdevelopment, continuously deteriorating infrastructure and inadequate basic services. 

To understand the humanitarian situation, barriers and priority needs in affected areas, REACH published a brief following a Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) coordinated by the Syria INGO Regional Forum (SIRF) and supported 31 humanitarian organisations - the first Whole-of-Syria multisectoral assessment since the change in the political context. 

Publications - our pick of the month:  

• Somalia | "A Protracted Crisis: Persistent Needs and Compounding Challenges": the humanitarian crisis in Somalia is widespread, with all households requiring assistance in at least one essential sector.   

• Sudan | 2024 MSNA Overview: a comprehensive overview of the Multi-Sector Needs Assessment, showing that 94% of households across Sudan are in need, meaning they experienced a gap in at least one sector. 

• Lebanon | " Return stories - Experiences from three families in conflict-affected districts in Lebanon" based on a situation overview, shares the experience of three families, offering a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of returning IDPs. 
  
• Global | New episode  "Counting the uncountable" of ALNAP's podcast, discussing the role of evidence in resource allocation decisions, focusing on the new Joint and Intersectoral Analysis Framework (GF 2.0). 

About REACH

REACH is a leading humanitarian initiative that collects primary data and produces in-depth analysis to help aid actors make  evidence-based decisions in support of crisis-affected people. With this in mind, our flagship research programmes aim to inform the prioritisation of aid according to levels of need - both crisis-level planning and targeted rapid response - as well as decisions around appropriate modalities of aid. Through our team of assessment, data, geospatial, and thematic specialists, we promote the design of people-centred research and set standards for collecting and analysing  rigorous, high quality data in complex environments

Stay up-to-date on our latest insights and analysis by subscribing to our newsletter.

Or access all our data and information products on our Resource Centre!

Unsubscribe here.