In recent days, Masisi territory in North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been the scene of major clashes between the armed group M23/AFC and the Congolese army, backed by its allies. These clashes have led to significant displacement in the area—more than 100,000 people in less than a week, according to OCHA.
“Between January 3 and 6, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and Ministry of Health teams treated 75 wounded people at Masisi General Reference Hospital and Nyabiondo Reference Health Centre,” said Stephane Goetghebuer, MSF head of mission in North Kivu. “In addition to providing this care, these two health facilities also sheltered hundreds of civilians for several days, who sought refuge there to benefit from increased protection.”
Following these clashes, the M23/AFC took control of the city of Masisi and the surrounding area over the weekend. Fighting has since continued further south in Masisi territory, on the border with South Kivu. As a result, MSF teams at the Minova General Reference Hospital and the Numbi Hospital, both in South Kivu, are also helping to treat many of the wounded.
“Fighting has been reported in the Numbi highlands of Minova in South Kivu,” said Julien Gircour, MSF head of mission in South Kivu. “People have fled and 84 wounded are being treated at the Numbi Hospital and the Minova General Reference Hospital.”
MSF teams in Masisi, Nyabiondo, Minova, and Numbi continue to provide medical assistance to people affected by the violence. These clashes are the latest to which MSF teams have responded in the three-year escalation of conflict between M23 and the Congolese army and allied groups in eastern DRC. The conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and has seriously affected the already critical humanitarian and health situation in eastern DRC.
