The on-going conflicts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have caused and continue to cause internal and external displacement of populations. In 2017, some 100,000 Congolese fled to neighbouring countries as refugees, due to widespread militia activities, unrest and violence, joining the 585,000 already in exile. The security conditions in DRC, especially in the eastern and central parts have continued to worsen since the beginning of 2018. Because of this, the Congolese refugee population is now among the ten largest in the world. Nearly 55 per cent are children, many crossing borders unaccompanied or separated. Existing camps and sites in many asylum countries are saturated, and available basic services are stretched to the limit. The situation requires support, adequate resources and collaboration so that effective protection and assistance can be delivered efficiently to Congolese refugees.

Highlighting statelessness in the 12 Member States of the ICGLR, and what is being done to eradicate it. Media coverage, testimonies of stateless persons, reports on the issue and all documents pertaining to the Brazzaville Declaration process can be consulted in English, French, Portuguese and Arabic.

The Regional Bureau emphasises ensuring a favourable protection environment; providing community-based protection and multi-sectoral assistance; pursuing durable solutions for people of concern; promoting social cohesion and peaceful co-existence; enhancing emergency preparedness and response capacity. “We are never as effective as when the 'whole-of-society' is working together to bring compassion, resources and expertise in response to humanitarian situations. In the spirit of the Global Compact on Refugees and UNHCR’s IDP Policy, governments, NGOs, civil society, private sector and people of concern are UNHCR’s most important partners in responding to the displacement of more than [9.5 million] people of concern in the Southern Africa region.” Regional Director : Valentin Tapsoba

UNHCR Regional Bureau for Eastern and Southern Africa (RBESA) is based in Nairobi, Kenya, covering 25 countries. This includes Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This follows UNHCR’s restructuring in October 2025, merging countries previously under the East, Horn of Africa, and Great Lakes (EHAGL) and Southern Africa (SA) regional bureaus. In addition to the bureau, there are three Multi-Country Offices (MCO), Mozambique MCO that will be covering Mozambique and Angola, and Zambia MCO that will be covering Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe and South Africa MCO covering Botswana, Comoros, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles and South Africa. The bureau also manages two specific situations: the Sudan Situation and the South Sudan Situation. It is responsible for strategic decisions, regional priorities, integrity oversight, and quality assurance. The RBESA also provides technical support to country operations in various sectors, including education, child protection, economic inclusion, and durable solutions.