Escalating Violence Affects Masisi General Referral Hospital and MSF Staff in DRC
On January 19, two MSF workers were injured by rocket fire near Masisi General Referral hospital in DRC. Gunfire and another rocket strike heightened concerns about safety for civilians and medical facilities. MSF condemned the attacks and demanded respect for humanitarian premises as conflict escalates in the region. Thousands of displaced persons are sheltering in these facilities, necessitating immediate protective measures in the face of ongoing violence.
On January 19, in North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo, two Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) workers sustained minor injuries from a rocket strike on the MSF garage adjacent to the Masisi General Referral hospital. That same day, another rocket hit a nearby latrine, while gunfire also targeted both the hospital and the MSF staff base. These events highlight a troubling trend regarding the safety of medical facilities in conflict zones.
In response to this alarming situation, MSF has reiterated its call for all parties to respect health and humanitarian facilities. “We strongly condemn this shooting, which once again affected an area that should be protected under international humanitarian law,” stated Stephan Goetghebuer, MSF’s head of programmes in North Kivu. He emphasized that, though the injuries were minor, the consequences could have been much graver.
Amid ongoing conflicts between the M23/AFC groups and the Congolese army, this incident marks the second attack on the Masisi General Referral hospital in just four days. Recently, on January 16, gunfire resulted in the shooting of two civilians in front of the facility, one of whom died from their injuries. Many displaced individuals, particularly women and children, have sought refuge within the hospital’s walls, amplifying their concern for safety amid escalating violence.
“It is essential that the warring parties take all possible precautions to minimize the risks to civilians,” advised Romain Briey, MSF’s field coordinator in Masisi. He underscored the obligation to protect vital infrastructure, stressing that hospitals and humanitarian sites must be free from shelling and that no armed groups should be positioned nearby.
Since 2007, MSF has supported the Ministry of Health in Masisi, providing essential healthcare services. The organization continues to work at the Masisi General Referral hospital, the Nyabiondo Referral health center, and other remote medical facilities in the region.
The situation in Masisi, North Kivu, occurs amidst ongoing tensions between various armed groups and governmental forces. The Masisi General Referral hospital is a critical healthcare facility within a conflict zone, where thousands of displaced individuals depend on its services for safety and medical assistance. The repeated attacks have raised serious concerns regarding the protection of healthcare providers and the civilians they serve, as they increasingly find themselves in harm’s way due to the violent clashes in the region.
The recent attacks on the Masisi General Referral hospital underscore the urgent need for compliance with international humanitarian law to protect medical facilities. MSF continues to advocate for the safety of healthcare workers and vulnerable civilians, emphasizing that humanitarian premises must remain shielded from armed conflict. The organization’s commitment to providing essential health services in this destabilized region is crucial, yet it also highlights the dire need for peace and stability in North Kivu.
Original Source: www.msf.org
