441-02579 (Foreign affairs)

The Government of Canada is deeply troubled by the terrible humanitarian impact of the ongoing violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri. As in the vast majority of humanitarian crises, it is women and children who bear the brunt of the impact.

Canada is committed to assist vulnerable populations in the DRC. In 2022-2023, Canadian international aid to the DRC totaled $207 million, making it the 6th largest recipient of Canadian international aid.

Canada continues to support experienced humanitarian partners – UN agencies, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, and non-governmental organizations – that provide vital life-saving and life-sustaining assistance to meet the needs of vulnerable populations affected by conflict in the DRC. This includes such things as food, improved access to safe water and sanitation, treatment for acute malnutrition and other critical healthcare, emergency shelter, and protection services. Protection considerations, for vulnerable children, women, and other marginalized groups of society, are always central to our partners’ project design.

Canada's development initiatives aim to uphold the rights of women and girls, promote their sexual and reproductive health rights, and combat sexual and address gender-based violence. Canada also supports the protection of children and girls living in fragile contexts, in crisis and conflict situations. These interventions target the most vulnerable. Canada's commitment and support for the DRC is long-standing and totals no less than $1 billion since 2015.

Recently, the Government of Canada announced $142 million in aid, including for projects across the DRC. This funding will advance gender equality, improve access to health supports for women and girls, address sexual and gender-based violence, bring forth more inclusive governance, and support humanitarian partners. 

Finally, as a strong sign of Canada's commitment the Minister of International Development made an official visit to the DRC in April 2024 to meet with the President and other officials to discuss the security and humanitarian situation in the DRC, as well as to visit Canadian-supported development projects.

Canada intends to pursue its commitment to the Congolese authorities, the United Nations (UN), the international community and civil society, to promote a rules-based international order, human rights, democracy, peace and security, and to prevent and effectively combat corruption.

Canada will continue to reaffirm its support for regional dialogue mechanisms, such as the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes, to put an end to violence in the region. The Government of Canada will continue to closely monitor the situation in the DRC and the Great Lakes region.