Heavy fighting breaks out in North Kivu

Médecins Sans Frontières has been forced to evacuate teams from some areas and redeploy to other areas in North Kivu in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) province as a result of heavy fighting that began on 28 August. The people of North Kivu, already suffering from near constant violence, find themselves once again on the battlefield.

Médecins Sans Frontières is witnessing a serious increase in hostilities - no longer minor skirmishes, but sustained fighting with heavy weapons. Although the UN has deployed a peacekeeping force to North Kivu, the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), with its 14,000 blue helmets, has been unable to maintain peace.

Due to the fighting, Médecins Sans Frontières has completely withdrawn its teams from Nyanzale and Kabizo, and has partially evacuated teams from Rutushuru Hospital, leaving a medical and a surgical team to treat the wounded and emergency cases. In Mweso, proximity to the frontline has made it impossible for teams to retain a full-time presence, and 55 patients requiring 24-hour care were transferred to the hospital in Kitchanga. Médecins Sans Frontières continues to provide assistance in Kitchanga, Mweso, Masisi and Rutshuru.

The humanitarian situation is extremely worrying.  The fighting has caused massive movements of the population. In the space of three days an estimated 250,000 people living in camps on the Katsiro-Butare axis fled, along with residents of the villages in this area. Thousands of persons have fled north (to Kayna, Kanyabayonga and further). Médecins Sans Frontières has redeployed some of its teams in Butembo to assess the situation in this area. Thousands have also fled Kachuga and Mweso areas.

Where possible, Médecins Sans Frontières is providing increased medical care and other assistance to prevent outbreaks of disease, such as cholera, but there is serious concern for people who have fled into areas cut off by the fighting.