Since 2017, the Djugu territory of Ituri province in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been convulsed by conflict. In November 2021, rising community tensions resulted in four attacks of unprecedented violence in Tché, Drodro, Paroisse, Luko, and Ivo.
This new escalation has pushed vulnerable people already displaced by the conflict to the brink. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is scaling up its response in the area to meet the massive and growing humanitarian needs.
“People have been facing many difficulties; the cold, the lack of shelters and latrines,” said MSF doctor Benjamin Safari in Drodro. “Clashes between armed groups have led to the massive displacement of people, including health workers who are no longer at their patients’ bedside. The health needs are enormous. We have launched several activities to strengthen our response, especially for children under 15.”
Facing trauma and isolation
“I am left to my own destiny. With no food, my children and I have been sick since we arrived to the site,” said Suzanne, a 52-year-old farmer from Dhedja, who fled to Ivo with her three children.
In Ivo, she saw passersby being shot at and heard her neighbors get attacked with machetes as she managed to escape with her family. The images of her neighbors being massacred are repeatedly replayed in her mind as she struggles to provide for her children with few prospects for the future. This is the second time she has been forced to flee—this time to the displaced people’s camp in Rhoe.
Like Suzanne, more than 40,000 people have been forced to take refuge in this camp, in the Blukwa state health area. This region is difficult to access and humanitarian groups have a reduced presence due to recurring insecurity.
MSF adapts project to meet shifting needs
Originally, the MSF clinic set up in the camp was intended to refer patients requiring more intensive care to the better-equipped general referral hospital in the town of Drodro. However, following the latest clashes that destroyed parts of Drodro and forced people into the camp, our teams transformed the clinic into a field hospital to help some 65,000 people there—an increase of 40,000 people in two months.
In the past few weeks, our teams carried out an average of more than 800 consultations per week, assisted 35 deliveries, and treated several dozen patients requiring mental health care. In addition, our health promotion teams have conducted health awareness sessions at the site, with the aim of detecting cases of acute malnutrition, diseases with epidemic potential, and providing information on support services for potential victims of sexual violence.
Calling for an end to violence
“Although some people are starting to return to their homes, in the fragile relative calmness of the last few weeks, the needs remain high and our access to people is limited,” said Davide Occhipinti, MSF’s project coordinator in Drodro. “We will be unable to follow these people to Drodro if it is not safe for the health care staff," he said.
“Those who remain in Rhoe have nowhere to go. The communities fighting in the area have been neglected for too long and we will not solve their problems with bandages and medicines. The Congolese state and its international partners need to take responsibility for reversing the dynamics of this vicious cycle that leads to more and more deaths, injuries, and displacement," said Occhipinti.
In Ituri, MSF supports four general referral hospitals, 12 health centers, three health posts, and 32 community care sites in the health zones of Drodro, Nizi, Bambu, and Angumu for the management of pediatric diseases, malnutrition, malaria, sexual violence and mental health.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mdecins sans frontires (MSF).
© Press Release 2021
Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
