Humanitarian Coordinator calls for respect of human rights and international humanitarian law in North and South Kivu provinces

Kinshasa, March 3, 2025 - The Humanitarian Coordinator in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Bruno Lemarquis, expresses his deep concern about the increasing number of incidents of targeted violence against civilians, medical and educational infrastructures, and humanitarian personnel in the provinces of North and South Kivu. These acts constitute not only serious violations of fundamental human rights, including the right to life, but also breaches of international humanitarian law (IHL).

Between 1 and 3 March 2025, several hospitals in Goma were deliberately targeted by armed actors, marking a new escalation of violence against medical facilities and healthcare personnel. On 27 February 2025, explosions at a public gathering in Bukavu, South Kivu, claimed at least 13 civilian lives and left dozens injured. Additionally, reports indicate a worrying increase in civilian abductions, including near schools and healthcare facilities, in territories of North Kivu and South Kivu.

We call on all parties to protect civilians and respect their obligations under international humanitarian law. Medical and educational infrastructure, as well as humanitarian personnel, must be protected under all circumstances. These unacceptable acts also directly jeopardize humanitarian assistance, on which millions of people depend.

We remind all actors that any attack on these essential structures constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law and must cease immediately.

We also reaffirm the fundamental principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence that guide humanitarian action. Our sole mission is to provide assistance and protection to vulnerable populations, regardless of political or military considerations.

As the crisis worsens, we call on the international community to intensify its efforts to support the humanitarian response in the DRC. In 2025, 21.2 million people are affected by multidimensional crises. Humanitarian actors require $2.5 billion to provide life-saving assistance to 11 million people,

addressing urgent needs in protection, health, food security, and access to basic services. To facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, we once again urge all parties involved to take urgent measures to reopen the airports of Goma (North Kivu) and Kavumu (South Kivu).

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For more information, please contact:

Carla Martinez, Head of Office, OCHA-RDC, +243817061223, martinez14@un.org
Jean Jonas Tossa, Public Information Officer, +243817 061 220, tossa4@un.org
Humanitarian situation updates for the DRC are available at www.reliefweb.int