DR Congo: Families flee escalating violence in Bambo region

Bambo is overwhelmed with new arrivals

People displaced by the resumption of clashes say they have come to Bambo as a last refuge. Many report fleeing scenes of extreme violence, burned houses, bombed villages, looting, and abuses committed against civilians, including summary executions. 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 staying in makeshift shelters, schools, or churches turned into informal accommodation sites. Local resources are becoming overwhelmed.  

A person who recently arrived in Bambo shared their experience: "On May 17, the armed men gathered village residents and ordered the entire population to leave. The next day, at around 10 a.m., we heard bombs being dropped on the village of Kabizo, so we fled. I came to Bambo on foot with my whole family, leaving our belongings behind. We have no shelter here and life is hard. It's hard to find water. We feel humiliated living like this.” 

MSF teams have 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 Bambo General Hospital to improve access to health care. However, the health centers are overwhelmed, humanitarian response remains insufficient, and MSF cannot cover all the needs. 

Bambo hospital under pressure amid immense humanitarian needs 

The general referral hospital in Bambo, where MSF works, is facing an influx of wounded patients, mainly civilians hit by stray bullets or artillery shrapnel. On May 15, the hospital received 20 injured people, three of whom died, and on May 26, 10 more were treated following clashes in the town.  

Medical teams continue to provide intensive care to wounded patients and treat children with severe malnutrition despite disruptions caused by the insecurity.

Fears of outbreaks amid rising malnutrition rates

"With limited local resources, the current situation exacerbates the vulnerability of everyone,” explained François Calas, MSF's head of programs in DRC. “Our 19-bed intensive treatment unit for malnourished children with complications has already been 100 percent occupied for a week. We are going to have to extend the number of beds in this unit to cope with a probable increase in malnutrition." 

Despite a vaccination campaign that immunized 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 informal displacement sites are leading to fears of new epidemics, particularly cholera. Our teams are also reporting an increase in the number of consultations for victims of sexual violence. 

MSF calls for protection of civilians 

MSF’s ability to reach people and ensure their safety and that of our teams is a daily challenge. Insecurity is hampering the continuity of care and the delivery of essential supplies. Recently, a bullet hit a tent in Bambo’s hospital, and the maternity ward in the Kabizo health center bears bullet marks. 

MSF calls on all parties to the conflict to respect health structures and humanitarian organizations, and to guarantee the protection of civilians. 

The situation in Bambo is part of a larger humanitarian emergency that is continuing in eastern DRC. The need for shelter, food, water, medical care, and protection is enormous. Only a collective effort will prevent the humanitarian disaster escalating.