DRC: Conflict expands through South Kivu province
Marcus Bachmann, head of MSF in South Kivu province, explains what’s happening in this part of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as the conflict evolves.
The conflict between M23/AFC and Congolese armed forces, plus their respective allies, was initially focused on the province of North Kivu. However, neighbouring South Kivu has also been affected by the fighting, and an influx of people trying to escape the violence.
What is happening in South Kivu?
In the first three weeks of 2025, as the conflict intensified, MSF-supported health structures in northern South Kivu received more than 315 injured patients.
In late January, M23 took control of key areas in South Kivu including Numbi, in the highlands, and Minova, by the shores of Lake Kivu. Following the takeover of Goma, North Kivu’s capital, they took the strategic towns of Kalehe and Kavumu.
In February, M23 fighters entered Bukavu, South Kivu’s capital and one of the most populated cities in eastern DRC, as Congolese army troops and allied forces reportedly withdrew from the town.
There has been widespread looting and shootings amid the chaos. As a result, the city has been quite empty, with hardly any traffic and very few people walking the streets, as residents opted to stay at home or leave for safer areas.
Our work saves lives
What is MSF doing in South Kivu?
MSF's priorities are to support people’s access to primary healthcare through mobile clinics; improve sanitation and access to water; and fight outbreaks of diseases such as measles and cholera.
By Monday 17 February, our supported hospitals in Bukavu had already received 48 injured patients with wounds from gunshots and shrapnel. One of the hospitals received 42 of these patients; all the injured were civilians, including 16 women and 11 people under 18 years of age.
Our teams are:
- Supporting four hospitals in Bukavu to deal with big influxes of injured people and to reinforce capacity for treating victims and survivors of sexual violence
- Supporting Minova General Referral hospital, three other health centres in Minova health zone, and Numbi health centre
- Assessing urgent needs and providing emergency assistance to the thousands of people who have been crossing the border from South Kivu into Burundi to seek refuge
We are closely assessing the situation and exploring ways to scale up our emergency efforts to respond to the humanitarian needs of people in areas around Minova, Bukavu, and Uvira.
What are the main humanitarian concerns?
The spread of violence and armed clashes, as well as the closure of airports and lake navigation routes, is affecting our ability to provide medical care in various parts of northern South Kivu province.
Due to the volatility of the situation, there is a risk that humanitarian needs will be exacerbated, particularly among communities that have been displaced for a long time.
We are also concerned about the potential surge in outbreaks of diseases, such as cholera. Our teams are prepared to respond if needed, including providing safe drinking water to communities.
MSF and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
The rapidly evolving conflict between the armed group M23/Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) and the Congolese army in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has intensified since December 2024, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and resulting in many casualties and violent injuries.
The war has seriously affected the already critical humanitarian and health situation in eastern DRC, where people face the risk of infectious disease outbreaks, sexual violence and inadequate living conditions.
Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) teams – already present in DRC – have been responding to the crisis from its first moments.