At the end of January 2025, the city of Goma in eastern DR Congo was occupied by the M23 armed group. The group issued an evacuation order forcing families to leave the displacement sites they had previously fled to.
Cash for transport: helping families return home in DR Congo
Those who stayed in Goma found refuge in collective centres such as schools and churches, or with host families. Far from their home villages and lacking transport and funds, many of these displaced individuals were unable to return home when the order had been issued.
“What kept me from returning was the lack of transport. Also, I had learned that my house had been burned down during the fighting,” says Jeanne Angélique, 30, a mother of seven.
“If I had the means to transport my family, I would go back. And once there, I could even build a shelter with tarps. Right now, I just need transport, and if possible, assistance to build a straw house where I can settle.”
Cash support
As part of a gradual return process, surveys conducted at the sites identified 2,619 displaced households spread across 37 collective centres. When a new order was issued to free up the temporary shelters, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) raised funds to help the families return home.
NRC organised a cash distribution from 5 to 7 May 2025 in Rusayo camp, successfully assisting 2,604 displaced families. Each household received a one-time financial payment of 110 US dollars to help facilitate their return to their home villages.
“With what I’ve just received from NRC, I no longer see any reason to stay here in Goma. This amount will allow me to move my family back home,” says Joseph Bundugu Chérubin, a father of four.
“Even though we will face challenges upon arrival, as many homes have been destroyed, we will manage buying a tarp, fixing some pieces of wood… and creating a temporary shelter while we rebuild our lives.”
Call for solidarity
While the cash assistance has allowed many displaced families to return to their villages, they are now facing new challenges. Many return to find their homes destroyed, and a lack of safe water, healthcare, education and livelihoods.
It is therefore crucial to continue this momentum of solidarity by raising additional resources to help people reintegrate sustainably. NRC calls on humanitarian partners, local authorities and donors to strengthen their support so that these families can regain a dignified life and rebuild their futures.
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