In the ‘Grand Nord’ of North Kivu province in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), clashes resumed between the Congolese armed forces and the M23 armed group in Lubero territory in December 2024. These clashes led to major population movements to the north and south of the front line, which is approaching Lubero, the capital of the territory. Following emergency interventions in the area in 2023 and 2024, MSF teams have returned to support health structures and provide essential goods to the displaced population.

The number of displaced people announced by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is estimated at 360,000 in Lubero territory between September and November 2024, including 290,000 in December alone, with around 73,000 displaced people announced in Lubero and 34,000 in Kipese.

MSF teams have been supporting two medical facilities in the area, in Lubero and Kipese, since 6 January 2025, targeting the host community and displaced persons with a multi-sectoral response. This involves primary healthcare for all, including secondary care for children at the Lubero HGR and the Kipese Centre de Référence (CDR), care for war-wounded in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at the Lubero HGR, malnutrition care, awareness-raising and counselling for victims of sexual violence, and access to drinking water at the Magasin site for displaced people, which includes 330 households.