The protection environment in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remained highly fragile, as recurrent armed clashes and rights violations by non-state armed groups continued to drive internal and cross-border displacement. Since January 2026, around 15,700 Congolese refugees and asylum-seekers have fled to neighbouring countries, while the Ebola outbreak declared in May has further deepened humanitarian needs, with the Government currently ,reporting more than 1,900 confirmed cases and 700 deaths.