DRC: Renewed conflict exacerbates psychological needs

14 November 2008

© Sven Torfinn

MSF teams are continuing to work in Goma and in other parts of North Kivu. The organization remains very concerned about the many people still on the move, fleeing ongoing fighting. Many of the displaced and local ressidents continue to be in urgent need of food, clean water, healthcare and basic items like blankets and shelter materials.

Teams are continuing to work at health centres in Kiwanja, in Rutshuru town, and at Rutshuru hospital. The surgical team has treated two wounded people at the hospital since 11 November. Some 31 cholera patients have been treated at the cholera treatment centre since 10 November.

A mobile team will attempt to go to Nyanzale today, and a team intends to return to Kayna on Saturday. Both trips will depend on the security situation.

In Kibati, just north of Goma, six new cholera cases were reported yesterday, compared to ten the day before, and 48 cases treated from Friday to Sunday 9 November. MSF is still trucking clean water to Kibati. Another six cholera cases were reported in the Buhimba cholera treatment centre, just west of Goma, and a cholera treatment unit in Goma itself is reporting about 8 to 10 new cases a day.

Cholera consistently recurs in parts of North Kivu. As usual, MSF is treating cholera throughout the province. Recent fighting has contributed to a heightened risk of cholera. Risk factors include poor sanitation, lack of clean water, the constant movement of the population, and crowded conditions in displaced camps.

MSF has cleaned and stocked two operating theatres at Goma general hospital, and has begun performing surgery in one of them. Mobile clinics have stopped going to Kibati camp, just outside Goma - an assessment confirmed that other aid groups are successfully managing the needs there.

North of Goma, an MSF team will go to evaluate the situation in Kibumba today.

West of Goma, MSF has started working at the hospital in Kirotshe. In nearby Shasha camp, MSF has begun training its local staff to provide mental healthcare to people suffering psychological problems as a result of the conflict.

Northwest of Goma, in Kitchanga and Mweso, MSF is continuing to provide primary and secondary healthcare. A mobile clinic team is visiting Pinga today, west of Mweso.

In Masisi, 80 km northwest of Goma, a six-person MSF international team and 80 Congolese colleagues are providing healthcare at a hospital and health centre. In Minova, west of Goma, an MSF team continues to support the local hospital and health centers, treating an average of 60 cholera patients each week.

MSF is continuing to explore the area, as security conditions permit, identifying people with unmet health needs following recent fighting and displacement.