Fizi Territory, in South Kivu in eastern DRC, faces a rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis driven by a very old inter-ethnic conflict, mass displacement, and the collapse of health services.

In Fizi, several groups have been fighting for more than 10 years. The Banyamulenge community and their armed group, the Twigwaneho, are in conflict with other local groups supported by the Wazalendo, a coalition of Congolese army-backed militias. Since February 2025 fighting has intensified, forcing tens of thousands of already displaced people to flee to the town of Baraka for safety. In addition, 57,000 more people took refuge in the highlands of Fizi and Nundu. The Wazalendo are stopping them from leaving, and they fear they will be attacked if they try to move towards Baraka. They are surrounded by armed groups and are cut off from medical care.



People who fled to Baraka also have limited access to healthcare. Malaria cases are on the rise because the rainy season has started. Additionally, due to years of underfunding, there are not enough medicines and mosquito nets. In Fizi, the Ministry of Health has not carried out any malaria prevention activities and has not distributed any mosquito nets for three years. Many health facilities lack funding and essential supplies. Since January, for the past eight months, the Fizi health zone has been experiencing a shortage of medicines. Because of the conflict, it has been too dangerous for health partners to transport medicines from Bukavu, where they are stored. This situation is exacerbated by international budget cuts in humanitarian aid. Some organisations like the International Medical Corps (IMC) and Médecins du Monde, had temporarily left Fizi because of these cuts, but returned to Fizi for six months. MSF remains the main actor in malaria treatment.

In August 2025, MSF launched a targeted malaria emergency response in Baraka and the village of Lweba, treating 19,000 up to 17 November. MSF has established community treatment sites and referral systems, and strengthened primary care, while supporting the Ministry of Health with resources and training. MSF is also providing transport for referred patients and supervising community health workers.



Additionally, since September 2025, MSF emergency teams have been responding to a cholera outbreak, treating around 652 patients at a supported Cholera Treatment Center in Baraka. A large-scale water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) initiative is underway — rehabilitating water sources and constructing latrines and showers.

The presence of international organisations in southern South Kivu is rare. There is little international attention on this part of the country – hence why it is important to bring visibility to the humanitarian crisis and MSFs medical interventions.