HRW report says oil production in DRC poses severe environmental health risks

July 30, 2026 - 05:52

A new report from Human Rights Watch released on Monday alleges that Perenco, the only oil producer operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is using extraction methods that create severe risks for both human health and the surrounding environment. The watchdog group claims that the company's activities in the coastal region of Muanda are causing widespread pollution, with crude oil spills and gas flaring contaminating local water sources and the air residents breathe.

According to the report, communities living near the oil fields report high rates of respiratory illnesses, skin infections, and other health problems directly linked to the pollution. HRW also documented that the company has failed to properly clean up numerous spills, some of which have leaked into farmland and fishing areas that are vital for local food supplies. The report further criticizes the lack of transparency from Perenco regarding the chemicals used in its operations.

The findings come at a time when the DRC government is pushing to expand oil exploration, including in sensitive areas like Virunga National Park. Human Rights Watch is calling on both the company and the Congolese authorities to immediately halt practices that endanger public health and to conduct independent environmental assessments. The group warns that without urgent intervention, the long-term damage to both the ecosystem and the well-being of thousands of people will be irreversible.