Thousands have sought refuge in Bambo town, located in the Rutshuru territory of North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), due to the renewed conflict that erupted in mid-May between the M23/AFC armed group, the Congolese armed forces, and their allies.
The situation is dire; most newcomers have arrived with nothing and are forced to sleep on the ground without mosquito nets or adequate access to drinking water, soap, or sanitation facilities. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is one of the few international medical organizations operating in Bambo and is urgently calling for action to protect civilians and address their basic needs.
Bambo is struggling to accommodate the influx of new arrivals. Those displaced by the renewed violence describe Bambo as their last refuge. Many recount fleeing from horrific scenes, including burned homes, bombed villages, looting, and civilian abuses, such as summary executions. There is widespread fear of further direct confrontations between armed groups in the town.
Over 11,050 families have sought refuge with host families, while more than 1,000 families are residing in makeshift shelters, schools, or churches that have been converted into informal accommodation. Local resources are becoming increasingly strained.
A recent arrival in Bambo recounted their experience: “On May 17, armed men gathered the villagers and ordered everyone to leave. The following day, around 10 a.m., we heard bombs falling on the village of Kabizo, prompting us to flee. I walked to Bambo with my entire family, leaving our belongings behind. We have no shelter here, and life is difficult. Finding water is a challenge. We feel humiliated living in these conditions.”
MSF teams have provided household items to over 1,000 displaced families, established water and sanitation facilities, constructed latrines and showers, and temporarily enhanced the capacity of Bambo General Hospital to improve healthcare access. However, the health centers are overwhelmed, the humanitarian response is inadequate, and MSF is unable to meet all the needs.
Bambo Hospital Strained by Severe Humanitarian Demands
The MSF-supported general referral hospital in Bambo is experiencing a surge in patients, primarily civilians injured by stray bullets or artillery shrapnel. On May 15, the hospital treated 20 injured individuals, three of whom succumbed to their injuries, and on May 26, an additional 10 patients were treated following clashes in the area.
Despite the challenges posed by ongoing insecurity, medical teams are committed to providing intensive care for the wounded and treating children suffering from severe malnutrition.
Concerns about outbreaks rise as malnutrition rates climb
“The current situation, compounded by limited local resources, heightens health risks for everyone,” stated François Calas, MSF’s head of programs in the DRC. “Our 19-bed intensive treatment unit for malnourished children with complications has been fully occupied for a week. We will need to increase the number of beds in this unit to accommodate a likely rise in malnutrition cases.”
Although a vaccination campaign in mid-May successfully immunized nearly 40,000 children in the Bambo area, our teams are still encountering numerous cases of measles, especially among new arrivals. The dire conditions in informal displacement sites raise concerns about potential new epidemics, particularly cholera. Additionally, our teams are observing a rise in consultations for survivors of sexual violence.
