EU Humanitarian Chief Raises Alarm Over Drones and Civilian Safety in Eastern Congo

European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib addressed an event in New York on 23 September 2026, speaking on the challenges posed by modern warfare and drone technology to International Humanitarian Law in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Reflecting on her field visit to Goma in February 2026, where she met with humanitarian workers and visited Ndosho hospital, Lahbib described the severe toll exacted on civilians caught in the ongoing conflict. She urged the international community to address how new military technologies, including unmanned aerial systems, alter combat conditions and increase risks to non-combatants and essential medical facilities.

The conflict in eastern DRC remains one of the world's most severe human crises, marked by widespread displacement, violence, and intense pressure on basic health infrastructure. The growing deployment of advanced military hardware, such as drones, in densely populated areas complicates efforts to distinguish between military targets and civilian populations. For international relief organizations, the collapse of legal protections endangers humanitarian personnel and restricts emergency medical access. Ensuring strict adherence to international humanitarian law is necessary to keep aid pipelines open and protect vulnerable populations.

As a major provider of global humanitarian aid, the European Union plays a central role in funding relief efforts in the African Great Lakes region. Through the European Commission's humanitarian arm, Brussels finances food distribution, medical care, and emergency shelter across conflict zones in the DRC. Speaking on the sidelines of international meetings in New York, the Commissioner sought to align European diplomatic pressure with aid operations, highlighting how modern battlefield tactics directly impede the delivery of EU-funded humanitarian assistance and undermine international legal frameworks.

The European Commission will continue to advocate for unimpeded humanitarian access and the enforcement of international legal protections for civilians in eastern DRC. In the coming months, EU officials are scheduled to review aid allocation and engage with regional authorities, international partners, and non-governmental organizations to ensure relief reaches affected populations. Brussels will also maintain calls at multilateral forums for accountability regarding violations of international humanitarian law.