The United Nations on Thursday said an escalation of hostilities in South Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, has displaced more than 200,000 people since Dec. 2 and prompted urgent humanitarian needs.

Spokesperson Farhan read a statement from the Secretary-General saying the offensive by armed actors in locations including Kamenyola, Lubungi, Katagota and Uvira has resulted in civilian casualties and risks undermining regional stability. The statement called for "an immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities" and cited Security Council resolution 27 73.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs figures shared at the briefing say some families have returned to calmer areas but the vast majority remain in overcrowded sites facing heightened protection risks and elevated threats of disease outbreaks, including cholera and mpox. Farhan said Uvira’s main referral hospital continues to receive wounded people and that Ruzizi Hospital reportedly ceased operations due to insecurity.

The spokesperson said OCHA is prepositioning shelter, water, food and health and protection supplies but added that additional funding is urgently needed to deliver life-saving assistance to newly displaced people. He also said people fleeing the violence have continued to arrive in neighboring countries, including Burundi and Rwanda, where transit sites and camps are hosting thousands.

The UN urged parties to abide by commitments under regional frameworks it named and said it is mobilized to work with partners to enable safe movement of humanitarian teams and resume aid operations. No new timeline or specific donor pledges were announced at the briefing.

Next steps: the UN said it will continue coordinating assessments and prepositioning supplies while pressing for access and additional funding to support newly displaced populations.