South Kivu, DRC: “Our teams continue to provide aid, even at 2,400m altitude”

Published 11th March 2025

As fighting intensifies in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, our humanitarian teams continue to assist several regions of North and South Kivu, including at an altitude of 2,400m in the High Plateaux. The movement of displaced people continues, both within the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and towards Burundi.

Since January, violence has been spreading throughout the province of South Kivu. Following offensives by the armed group M23/AFC in Goma and Bukavu, the fighting has now shifted towards the territory of Uvira, near the Burundian border.

“Due to the worsening insecurity – including the bombing of health centres, looting, and theft of medicines – many people have been forced to flee to other areas, facing even more precarious living conditions, health issues, and significant risks of violence. Those affected are in urgent need of healthcare for respiratory infections, malnutrition, and the risk of cholera, of psychological support, and of protection,” warns Lucas Franceschin, Project Coordinator in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Our teams continue to intervene, providing healthcare and psychological support to those in need.
In the territory of Kabare, we support the Katana General Hospital in treating patients affected by monkeypox (Mpox). In this region, two mobile clinics are already operational, covering six health centres in the health zones of Minova and Buknyakiri. We have conducted over 6,500 medical consultations in four healthcare facilities and more than 1,100 medical consultations in mobile clinics.

We are also strengthening patient care in five health centres and the general referral hospital in the Lemera health zone. Additionally, we are supporting access to sexual and reproductive health services in five health centres in the Uvira health zone. Starting now, we are treating monkeypox (Mpox) cases at the Uvira General Hospital.

In February, our teams also trained community workers, community leaders, and local leaders to identify and refer survivors of violence to healthcare facilities we support.

In the High Plateaux, Doctors of the World continues to provide healthcare to communities throughout the region, including through two hospitals (Itombwe and Minembwe), 12 health centres, and 24 community healthcare sites.

“Despite the inaccessibility of areas located at over 2,400m altitude and the severe impact of recent conflicts, our teams have continued to deliver aid to those in need. Reaching some health centres can require up to six hours of walking,” explains Lucas Franceschin.