The city of Uvira, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is facing an acute humanitarian crisis following the entry of the AFC/M23 rebellion. The situation is made particularly difficult by the closure of the main border with Burundi, at Gatumba, since Tuesday .

📉 Mass leaks and obstructed access to aid

This escalation of fighting in the Ruzizi Plain and Uvira has caused a massive displacement of the population. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that more than 40,000 Congolese have fled to Burundi in recent days.

The border closure significantly complicates population movements and, above all, the delivery of humanitarian aid to this already volatile area.

🚣‍♀️ Perilous escape routes

Valeria Caccavo, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for South Kivu, described to RFI increasingly dangerous escape routes for civilians.

"Because the border at Gatumba is closed, people are heading south into South Kivu province, towards the coast, where they try to reach the lake and cross in boats to get to the other side, towards Burundi. It's difficult at this stage to get precise figures."

⚕️ The ICRC's emergency response is a "major challenge"

The ICRC is striving to organize an emergency response despite logistical obstacles. Valeria Caccavo details the ongoing efforts:

1. Supply delivery: Attempts to send essential medicines and supplies through various channels.
2. Medical reinforcement: Mobilization of a mobile surgical team to support the general hospital and take care of the wounded.

However, access remains the main bottleneck. She emphasizes the difficulty of the task:

“Obviously, given the current access conditions, we are still looking for a way to prioritize essential medicines for the emergency response in Uvira. This remains a major challenge ,” she concluded.