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Country analysis

Congo

The Republic of Congo is currently experiencing a complex crisis characterised by vulnerability to disease outbreaks, seasonal floods, and internal displacement as a result of past conflict in Pool department. The Republic of Congo also hosts a high number of refugees and asylum seekers from neighbouring countries.

Following a ceasefire in late 2017 that ended armed conflict in Pool, the security situation in the country has improved, and people internally displaced by the conflict have begun to return home.

55,000 people are internally displaced, and the country hosts more than 64,600 refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. After an outbreak of violence related to the 27 December 2020 elections in CAR, additional refugees arrived in Likouala province, mostly in Kpakaya department, between mid-December 2020 and February 2021.

From December 2023 to January 2024, the country also experienced flooding that affected over 1.8 million people and left about 350,000 individuals in need of humanitarian assistance. The floods also destroyed about 64,000 houses and inundated 34 health facilities and 2,292 hectares of farmland, creating humanitarian needs in terms of shelter, food, and healthcare, with about 25,500 people homeless as at 6 February 2024.

(UNHCR accessed 12/02/2024, Health Cluster 06/02/2024, UN 19/01/2024)

The Republic of Congo is currently experiencing a complex crisis characterised by vulnerability to disease outbreaks, seasonal floods, and internal displacement as a result of past conflict in Pool department. The Republic of Congo also hosts a high number of refugees and asylum seekers from neighbouring countries.

Following a ceasefire in late 2017 that ended armed conflict in Pool, the security situation in the country has improved, and people internally displaced by the conflict have begun to return home.

55,000 people are internally displaced, and the country hosts more than 64,600 refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. After an outbreak of violence related to the 27 December 2020 elections in CAR, additional refugees arrived in Likouala province, mostly in Kpakaya department, between mid-December 2020 and February 2021.

From December 2023 to January 2024, the country also experienced flooding that affected over 1.8 million people and left about 350,000 individuals in need of humanitarian assistance. The floods also destroyed about 64,000 houses and inundated 34 health facilities and 2,292 hectares of farmland, creating humanitarian needs in terms of shelter, food, and healthcare, with about 25,500 people homeless as at 6 February 2024.

(UNHCR accessed 12/02/2024, Health Cluster 06/02/2024, UN 19/01/2024)

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Latest updates on country situation

16 January 2024

In 2024, the Republic of Congo is facing flood events resulting from the overflowing of the Congo River, affecting 9 of its 12 departments. As at 12 January, more than 336,000 people were in need of humanitarian assistance, with the floods affecting 120 schools, 34 health centres, and over 64,000 houses. With about 346,000 hectares of land underwater, risks of waterborne and vector-borne diseases increase, a situation aggravated by restricted access to health services. The Government reports that more than 2,290 hectares of farmland are inundated, increasing the risk of food insecurity in the affected areas. (WHO 12/01/2024, IFRC 16/01/2024, Journal de Brazza 16/01/2024)

current crises
in Congo

These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

COG001 - Complex crisis

Last updated 30/10/2024

Drivers

Conflict

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

2.7 Medium

Access constraints

1.0

Analysis products
on Congo

Republic of Congo: flooding on 9 out of 12 departments

22 January 2024

Republic of Congo: flooding on 9 out of 12 departments

DOCUMENT / PDF / 1 MB

This briefing note provides an overview of torrential rains in the Republic of Congo that have resulted in the rise of the Ubangi River, the largest right-bank tributary of the Congo River, flooding the Congo River Basin.

DRC: IDPs and refugees to Congo-Brazzaville

14 February 2019

DRC: IDPs and refugees to Congo-Brazzaville

DOCUMENT / PDF / 622 KB

Violent clashes involving the Banunu and Batende communities in Yumbi, Mai-Ndombe province, DRC between 16 and 18 December 2018 caused at least 535 fatalities, injured some 150, and displaced approximately 30,000 people. Both the IDPs in DRC and the refugees in Congo-B lack adequate shelter and have lost their livelihoods. 

Mixed migration
Republic of Congo: Conflict in Pool department

06 June 2017

Republic of Congo: Conflict in Pool department

DOCUMENT / PDF / 475 KB

Since late September, several armed clashes between government forces and militia Nsilulu, also known as Ninja, have occurred in Pool Department. According to the government, more than 60 fatal attacks have been carried out. According to the latest census in 2007, more than 126,000 people are living in these areas and have been affected by the conflict. At least 23,000 people have been displaced since March 2016. 

Conflict and violence
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