DRC: Shots hit Doctors Without Borders base in Masisi town, staff member critically injured

20/02/2025

DR Congo

Influx of displaced people to the Masisi general referral hospital, supported by MSF.

Influx of displaced people to the Masisi general referral hospital, supported by Doctors Without Borders. These people are fleeing clashes between the belligerents in the territory of Masisi. Democratic Republic of Congo, January 2025. © MSF

"This morning, one of our colleagues on duty at the Doctors Without Borders base in Masisi was seriously injured by a bullet – one of many bullets to hit our premises over recent weeks,” says the Head of Programmes Stephan Goetghebuer. “Unfortunately, his life is in danger. During the shootings, a child who had taken refuge at our base was also slightly injured by a bullet."

Since early January, the area in and around Masisi town in southern North Kivu province has been fought over almost daily by VDP/Wazalendo fighters (allied with the Congolese army) and the M23/Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC). The clashes have led to an influx of wounded – most of them civilians – at Masisi general referral hospital, which is supported by Doctors Without Borders, while thousands of people have sought refuge at the Doctors Without Borders base and the hospital compound.

"On Thursday, intense fighting, including the use of heavy weapons, took place in the town itself, which has been controlled by the M23/AFC since mid-January," says Goetghebuer. "Notably, fighting took place between the Doctors Without Borders base and the market in front of the hospital, where thousands of people have been sheltering for days.”

We strongly condemn this latest episode of violence, which has directly impacted a humanitarian facility that should be protected from gunfire.

Stephan Goetghebuer, Head of Programmes

Since early January, Masisi hospital, the Doctors Without Borders base and the immediate surroundings have been the scene of numerous serious incidents.

On 16 January, two civilians were shot in front of Masisi hospital; one was killed. On 19 January, the hospital and Doctors Without Borders base came under fire and two Doctors Without Borders staff were injured when a rocket hit Doctors Without Borders' garage next to the hospital. On 28 January, a woman was shot dead during clashes that took place between the Doctors Without Borders base and nearby Doctors Without Borders office. On 16 February, a Ministry of Health staff member was wounded by a stray bullet that entered the hospital.

"These violent, recurring incidents are unacceptable," says Goetghebuer. "Despite our repeated appeals to the warring parties to protect humanitarian and health facilities, the safety of patients and medical and humanitarian staff is clearly not being taken into account. Humanitarian law is being flouted. This must stop.”

Masisi hospital, supported by Doctors Without Borders since 2007, has received dozens of war-wounded in recent days. In view of the repeated violent incidents affecting Doctors Without Borders' work in Masisi town, Doctors Without Borders is currently considering how to adapt its activities in the region, where people’s medical and humanitarian needs are massive.

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