The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is intensifying efforts to address the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the number of internally displaced people has climbed to 6.9 million - the highest number recorded yet.

For the first time, nationwide displacement data has been collected in all 26 provinces of the country by the United Nations through IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix.

'One of the largest humanitarian crises in the world'

Due to the ongoing conflict and escalating violence, the DRC is facing one of the largest internal displacement and humanitarian crises in the world, the IOM said in a statement on October 30.

Most internally displaced persons – about 5.6 million (81% of the total IDPs) – live in the eastern provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, and Tanganyika. Conflict has been reported as the primary reason for displacement.

In the eastern province of North Kivu alone, up to one million people have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict with the rebel group "Mouvement du 23 Mars" (M23).

More than two-thirds of the internally displaced persons – nearly 4.8 million people – live with host families.

As the security situation, particularly in North Kivu and Ituri, continues to deteriorate, humanitarian needs are increasing.

"For decades, the Congolese people have been living through a storm of crises," Fabien Sambussy, IOM's Chief of Mission in DRC, said in the statement.

"The most recent escalation of the conflict has uprooted more people in less time like rarely seen before. We urgently need to deliver help to those most in need."

'IOM operations significantly underfunded'

Despite limited humanitarian access and security concerns, IOM said it remains committed to providing critical assistance to displaced persons, returnees and host communities affected by the crisis.

The UN agency has been actively involved in managing 78 displacement sites hosting over 280,000 internally displaced people. Since the scale-up was declared in June this year, it has built and distributed thousands of emergency shelters, kits of non-food items, water, sanitation and hygiene assistance.

Moreover, IOM said it is enhancing mental health and psychosocial support services for site residents facing psychological distress.

The organization stated that it aims to support an additional 10,000 households (50,000 individuals) in the next three months, but many more people desperately require assistance to meet their basic needs.

IOM said its operations in the DRC remain significantly underfunded; less than half (37%) of the requested USD 100 million has been received.