Scroll

Forgotten Nation

24 Sep 2019
Story
Share
Print:

At the end of June, a multiple humanitarian crisis unfolded in Ituri province, northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where hundreds of thousands of people are in need of urgent assistance. The recent upsurge in violence across the regions of Djugu, Mahagi and Irumu forced thousands to flee their homes. Despite MSF’s repeated calls on international aid organisations to scale up much-needed humanitarian aid, the majority of the displaced still haven’t received even the most basic assistance.

“Unfortunately, this is not the first time there are important humanitarian needs in the country,” explains Dr Moussa Ousman, MSF Head of Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. “This time we are seeing not only mass displacement due to violence, but also a rapidly spreading measles outbreak and an Ebola epidemic that show no signs of slowing down, all at the same time. This is unprecedented.”

Consequences of violence

msf275490high.jpg
Map showing location of MSF projects in 2018.

Intercommunal violence has been increasing in Ituri since December 2017, and the large majority of people displaced have since been in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, some for more than a year.

“I had to flee with my children in the middle of the night. Two of my children were killed by attackers as we fled. With my remaining four children we arrived in this camp. We couldn’t take anything with us, all I have are the clothes on my back,” says Milena*, displaced in Tse Lowi.

“We are seeing not only mass displacement due to violence but also a rapidly spreading measles outbreak and an ebola outbreak.”

Preventable diseases

Since October 2018, MSF teams have conducted three mortality surveys in the locations of Drodro, Nozzi and Angumu. All showed that the mortality rates in these communities were far above emergency levels. “Our surveys show that people are mainly dying from preventable diseases such as malaria, measles and diarrhoea,” says Dr Ousman. “That is very worrying. Together with the ministry of health, we are looking at what innovative strategies we can implement given the circumstances, but more help is urgently needed here to prevent even more deaths.”

horizontal_3.jpg

MSF support

MSF is supporting the ministry of health to provide medical care and respond to the most acute needs of the displaced in Drodro, Nozzi and Bunia. We are also providing clean water, distributing relief items and constructing showers and latrines. Nevertheless, the most urgent needs of thousands remain unmet.

MSF urges for an immediate scale up of long-term humanitarian assistance, to prevent the loss of more lives and to ensure humane and decent living conditions for all those who have been forced to flee.

*Name has been changed

This article was first published in July- September release of our quarterly magazine "Without Borders".

Download the magazine by clicking this link.