The country also has one of the largest populations of internally displaced persons (IDPs) globally, with million of people displaced, primarily due to ongoing conflict and violence. Most IDPs reside with host families or in informal settings, where they face inadequate access to healthcare, education, and basic services, as well as ongoing protection risks due to secondary displacement.

In response, the DRC has taken key steps at the international level. It is a State Party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, its 1967 Protocol, and the 1969 OAU Refugee Convention. It also ratified the African Union’s Kampala Convention in 2014, reaffirming its commitment to the protection and assistance of IDPs. Efforts have been made to domesticate the Kampala Convention through national legislation and policy discussions. However, a comprehensive national legal framework for internal displacement remains under development.

Importantly, the DRC is not a party to the 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons or the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. Access to civil registration and legal identity remains a significant issue, particularly in conflict-affected and remote areas. This increases the risk of statelessness, complicating access to basic services and legal protection.

Despite these gaps, there has been progress in refugee protection. The government has initiated the issuance of refugee identity cards, helping to facilitate freedom of movement and access to services. Efforts are also underway to improve legal protections, expand access to documentation, and develop durable solutions in collaboration with humanitarian and development actors.