Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), 02 June 2025 – The Bambo region, in the Rutshuru territory of North Kivu, DRC, has seen a violent resumption of the conflict between the M23/AFC armed group, the Congolese armed forces and their respective allies since mid-May. The town, which is surrounded by ongoing armed clashes, has become a refuge for thousands of people who say they have fled violent fighting, burnt-out villages, and looting. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), one of the only international medical organisations present in Bambo, is calling for urgent action to protect civilians and meet their basic needs.
People fleeing violence arrive to overwhelmed Bambo
Since 15 May, violent clashes have broken out around the town of Bambo, causing thousands of families to flee and overwhelming local reception capacities. As people fled violence in surrounding villages, Bambo, which is enveloped by fighting, has become their last refuge. Many fear new direct clashes between armed groups in the town. More than 11,050 families have taken refuge with host families, while more than 1,000 families are surviving in makeshift shelters, schools or churches turned into informal accommodation sites. According to various accounts, displaced people report having fled scenes of extreme violence, burnt-out houses, bombed-out villages, looting and abuses committed against civilians, including summary executions.
Bambo hospital under pressure and immense humanitarian needs
The general referral hospital in Bambo, where MSF works, is facing an influx of wounded, mainly civilians hit by stray bullets or artillery shrapnel. On 15 May, the hospital received twenty injured people, three of whom died, and on 26 May, ten more were treated following the clashes in the town.
The situation in the town is critical: most people have arrived with nothing. They are sleeping on the ground, without mosquito nets or sufficient access to drinking water, soap or sanitation facilities. The medical teams, although disrupted by the insecurity, continue to treat provide intensive care to wounded patients and treat children with severe malnutrition.
Despite a vaccination campaign that immunised nearly 40,000 children in the Bambo area in mid-May, our teams are treating many cases of measles, particularly among new arrivals. The precarious conditions in the informal displacement sites are leading to fears of new epidemics, particularly of cholera. Our teams are also reporting an increase in the number of consultations for victims of sexual violence.
In response to the emergency, MSF teams distributed household items to more than 1,000 displaced families, set up water and sanitation facilities, built latrines and showers, and temporarily reinforced the capacity of the Bambo general hospital to improve access to healthcare. However, the health centres are overwhelmed, the humanitarian response remains insufficient, and MSF cannot cover all the needs.
MSF calls for protection of civilians
MSF’s ability to reach people, people’s safety and the safety of our teams are a daily challenge, hampering the continuity of care and the delivery of essential supplies. A bullet passed through a tent in Bambo’s hospital, while the maternity ward in the Kabizo health centre bore bullet marks.
MSF calls on all parties to the conflict to respect health structures and humanitarian organisations and to guarantee the protection of civilians.
The situation in Bambo is part of a larger humanitarian emergency that is continuing in the east of DRC. The need for shelter, food, water, medical care, and protection is enormous. Only a collective effort will prevent a humanitarian disaster on a much larger scale.
