Violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Humanitarian Catastrophe 

Following the escalation of the armed conflict between the M23/AFC armed group and the Congolese army in North Kivu (Goma), and its expansion into South Kivu—where an imminent threat to the city of Bukavu is expected in the coming days – Doctors of the World (Médecins du Monde) warns of the immense needs of the affected populations. The organisation also raises alarm over the difficulties in delivering humanitarian aid. 

Amid new offensives by the M23/AFC armed group in the cities of Minova and Goma since January 19, 2025, hundreds of thousands of people have once again been forced to flee their homes, while reception and assistance capacities for displaced persons are already overwhelmed. 

What is happening in Congo?

According to the United Nations, the escalation of violence has already displaced more than 230,000 people since the beginning of the year in North and South Kivu, which already host 4.6 million internally displaced persons. 

“The humanitarian situation is catastrophic. Among the 1,672,220 displaced persons in South Kivu alone (according to the Provincial Humanitarian Coordination Report, South Kivu-OCHA), thousands who had been sheltering in displacement sites and host families have now fled further into South Kivu, in the health zones of Mianda, Kusisa, Matitura, and Tushunguti. Doctors of the World teams working in these areas registered 14,538 displaced persons between January 4 and 15. This number has continued to rise since then,” warns Mamadou Kaba BARRY, General Coordinator of Doctors of the World in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

Lack of Access for Humanitarian Organisations in Congo 

He adds: “Whether in North or South Kivu, people are being deprived of access to food, water, electricity (in Goma), and healthcare. Due to insecurity along the roads and the risk of attacks, humanitarian organisations, including Doctors of the World, are unable to access all affected areas. This prevents us from delivering essential medical supplies (hospital equipment, medical devices, etc.) and vital medicines to health centers and hospitals. The situation is extremely alarming: for example, childbirth care cannot be provided optimally, nor can treatment for acute malnutrition. Once again, it is civilians who are paying the price.” 

We call on all parties to the conflict to guarantee unimpeded humanitarian access, allowing organizations like Doctors of the World to provide healthcare and protection for affected populations. 

Achieving this requires strong commitment from the international community in support of humanitarian organizations to ensure that life-saving aid reaches those in need. 

Doctors of the World Response 

Doctors of the World is responding through an emergency programme in six health zones (highlands of Kalehe territory in South Kivu and Tushunguti). Our teams operate in a conflict-affected context where humanitarian access is severely restricted. Doctors of the World’s key actions include: 

• Providing primary and secondary healthcare 

• Ensuring nutritional support for children under five 

• Offering maternal healthcare services in health centers and hospitals 

• Improving sanitary infrastructure and access to water in healthcare facilities 

• Providing care for survivors of gender-based violence, including sexual violence 

Doctors of the World is also conducting similar activities in the highlands of Mwenga and Fizi. Since December 2024, following combat in these areas, 75,000 people have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in forests or with host families already living in precarious conditions. 

Press Contact 

media@doctorsoftheworld.org.uk