By Bunmi Yekini
A staff member of Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has been critically injured after gunfire struck the MSF base in Masisi town, North Kivu province, on the morning of February 20. A child who had sought refuge with his family at the compound was also wounded.
MSF has strongly condemned the attack, calling it a grave violation of humanitarian protections.
“This morning, one of our colleagues on duty at the MSF base in Masisi was seriously injured by a bullet – one of many bullets to hit our premises over recent weeks,” said Stephan Goetghebuer, MSF’s head of programmes. “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. We strongly condemn this latest episode of violence, which has directly impacted a humanitarian facility that should be protected from gunfire.”
Ongoing Conflict Endangers Civilians and Humanitarian Workers
Since early January, Masisi town and its surrounding areas have been a battleground between VDP/Wazalendo fighters (allied with the Congolese army) and the M23/Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC). The ongoing clashes have led to a surge in civilian casualties and have overwhelmed Masisi General Referral Hospital, which is supported by MSF. Thousands of displaced people have sought refuge in the hospital compound and MSF base.
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“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,” Goetghebuer added. “Notably, fighting took place between the MSF base and the market in front of the hospital, where thousands of people have been sheltering for days.”
The MSF facility in Masisi has been subjected to multiple attacks in recent weeks. Among the most serious incidents:
- On January 16, two civilians were shot in front of Masisi hospital; one was killed.
- On January 19, a rocket struck MSF’s garage, injuring two MSF staff.
- On January 28, a woman was shot dead in clashes near the MSF office.
- On February 16, a Ministry of Health staff member was wounded by a stray bullet inside the hospital.
Calls for Protection of Humanitarian Spaces
MSF has repeatedly called on the warring parties to respect humanitarian and medical spaces, but the violence continues unabated.
“These violent, recurring incidents are unacceptable,” Goetghebuer emphasized. “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, which has been supported by MSF since 2007, continues to receive dozens of war-wounded patients daily. However, due to the escalating violence, MSF is now assessing how to adapt its activities in the region to ensure the safety of its staff while continuing to address the urgent medical and humanitarian needs of the population.