Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has strongly condemned a recent surge in brutal violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri province.
The medical charity reported treating civilians with “horrific” injuries as conflict escalates in the northeastern region.
Gold-rich Ituri has long suffered from clashes between ethnic militias and attacks by the ADF.
MSF highlighted a significant increase in atrocities, noting its medical teams are overwhelmed with severely wounded civilians.
United Nations figures indicate approximately 100,000 people have been displaced since the year’s start.
Tragically, over 200 deaths were recorded in January and February alone due to the escalating violence.
Disturbingly, more than half of the violence victims treated by MSF in Bunia up to mid-March were women and children.
The organization detailed treating young children and pregnant women for machete and gunshot wounds after militia assaults.
These attacks often resulted in the tragic deaths of other family members, leaving communities devastated.
MSF also warned that healthcare facilities are increasingly targeted by armed groups, severely impacting aid delivery.
Threats forced one hospital to cease operations and evacuate patients this month, while other health centers have been destroyed.
The NGO emphasized the cyclical nature of displacement, forcing civilians to repeatedly rebuild their lives amidst ongoing danger.
MSF stressed that the stories they hear from patients likely represent only a fraction of the true extent of the suffering.
Ituri experienced a devastating ethnic conflict from 1999 to 2003.
While Ugandan troops were deployed in 2021 to combat the ADF, violence persists, with a recent operation targeting the Codeco militia.