Since the launch of our campaign to support the civilian population of South Kivu in February 2025, the humanitarian and socio-economic situation has continued to deteriorate as a result of armed clashes between M23 rebels and local forces. This unstable situation has had a serious impact on the daily lives of the inhabitants.

Schools closed, future uncertain

In many rural areas of South Kivu, public and private schools have been closed for several weeks, sometimes several months. The fear generated by the fighting and ongoing insecurity have plunged families into deep uncertainty, jeopardising the education of hundreds of children. Only a few institutions, such as the four schools supported by the AFLAM Foundation in Walungu, are attempting to maintain some semblance of normality, despite the fear and extremely precarious living conditions for teachers and pupils.

Restricted mobility and paralysed economy

The toll barriers imposed around Bukavu, which have never been so expensive, severely restrict the mobility of residents. Access to markets, healthcare and essential services is becoming a luxury, further increasing the vulnerability of the population. Commercial activity has virtually ground to a halt, especially as the city's banks and microfinance institutions remain closed, cutting off all access to financial resources.

Rural families trapped

The families that are still managing to survive are generally those that have been able to maintain access to their farmland. For those dependent on income from non-agricultural activities, the situation is dire: job opportunities have disappeared and sources of income have dried up. In this context, agricultural projects appear to be a real lifeline.

Agriculture, a source of resilience

Louvain Coopération is proud to see that its investments in sustainable agricultural projects focused on production and inclusive management of agroecosystems are now bearing fruit. These initiatives not only meet immediate needs, but also lay the foundations for long-term development by strengthening the resilience of communities.

An urgent need for medicines

The local healthcare system is in serious difficulty. Many medical facilities, which exhausted their stocks during the most intense phases of the fighting, are now unable to restock. Patients, often ruined by the war, can no longer cover their healthcare costs. Support in the form of essential medicines is now vital to prevent a major health crisis. Our partners on the ground are urgently calling for the creation of emergency stocks to tide them over until the situation returns to normal.

If you are able to do so,
there is still time to support the civilian population of South Kivu.

With all our hearts, thank you.