The recent increase in violence in the Eastern People’s Republic of Congo has led to a significant loss of life, trauma, displacement and destruction of critical health infrastructure, exacerbating an already difficult situation for millions of people.
The situation remains tense and volatile and the health needs are huge. Who remains on the spot and continued to respond to health needs by providing medical supplies, supporting health workers and coordinating the emergency reaction.
Hospitals and Morgues are overwhelmed. On January 26, 3082 injured and 843 dead have been reported by 31 health facilities in and around Goma, North Kivu.
With the alarming expansion of violence further south, 65 injuries reported from 3 hospitals to southern Kivu.
These numbers are expected to increase further, as more injuries are able to reach the health facilities and more dead bodies are gathered from the streets. Wound infections are a risk for those who have failed to reach the healthcare facilities quickly and as health facilities are exhausted by the supplies needed to clean and be fired.
The view of the bodies that are perfectly is unpleasant. Although the bodies of people who have died of injury do not generally carry or spread illness, it is the right of the dead to identify and receive the right burial and it is important for the living to know that their loved ones have taken this care.
Over 70 (or 6%) of health facilities in the North Kivu have been affected, with some completely destroyed and others are struggling to restart businesses. Some ambulances have also been destroyed. A health -backed health clinic in North Kivu was temporarily occupied by armed groups. Health workers had to leave in places, while in others, they work around the clock for days, with limited resources and overwhelming demand and sometimes at risk for their lives.
Cancer, diabetes, hypertension, mental health and other usual services are also affected as medicines are exhausted and health workers are either absent or burdened.
The risk of death during pregnancy and childbirth has increased from already high levels. Given insecurity, pregnant women cannot reach the health facilities for safe delivery. Experience with conflict in the area has shown the active result it has, with the percentage of births monitored by specialized health workers falling close to zero during periods of severe violence.
The threat of infectious diseases has multiplied. Cholera, malaria, measles, meningitis, MPox and tuberculosis are among the infectious threats in the area. The supply of water to the Goma has been disturbed and has only been repeated in part, leading people to use water from the lake and to increase the risk of cholera spread. Nearly 600 cholera cases and 14 deaths were reported by North Kivu between 1 and 27 January.
The Eastern People’s Republic of Congo, especially the South Kivu province, is the focus of the MPox epidemic that prompted its general manager to declare an emergency public health of international concern last August. MPOX response is strongly affected. Ninety percent of patients with MPOX (128 of 143) in isolation units in GOMA had abandoned security, making them almost impossible to provide care and increasing the risk of spreading.
One in four people in the area already faced levels of hunger emergency, with recent violence expected to aggravate the situation. Malnutrition and disease go hand in hand: malnourished people are less capable of fighting diseases, while the disease leads to further malnutrition. This vicious cycle is especially concerned when it comes to children and pregnant and lactating women.
Goma hosts over 2 million people, including 700,000 people displaced by this crisis. These people had to leave again, looking for security. They are in temporary settlements, with their health and safety at risk.
A rapid evaluation of 10 healthcare facilities inside and around Goma showed a rise in rape and other gender -based violence: there were 45 cases reported between displaced and 21 gang rape survivors accepted in two hospitals. These numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. These patients require medical care, psychological support and support to maintain their lives, especially when they are the only providers for their families.
Who has developed medical emergency supplies, hygiene and water and scenes to increase hospital capacity by 1000 beds. Supplies are quickly exhausted and more resources are urgently needed.
Which prepares further traditions as part of a European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO)-the attempt to fly into critical supplies. That is why Goma Airport, a critical salvation, has to reopen urgently. Who also explores the options for providing critical supplies through other routes.
Who and the partners were able to repeat MPOX vaccination at Goma on Wednesday, February 5th after a 10 -day pause.
The recent decision of the United States to freeze foreign aid has a significant impact on relief efforts in the Congo People’s Republic. Last year, the US contributed to 70% of the country’s humanitarian reaction. In addition, the US is an important funder of the MPox reaction and has committed millions of doses of a vaccine of its own stocks to global efforts. While the region’s humanitarian response is based on funding from other donors-including the European Union, the United Kingdom and the emergency emergency fund-reductions in overall aid will have an impact on human health.
To meet the immediate health needs of the Eastern People’s Republic of Congo, including safe and decent burials, which have spent $ 600,000. The total answer requires $ 50 million.
Who requires humanitarian access, the protection of workers and facilities in the health sector and the end of attacks on health care. Health facilities, supplies, workers and patients should be protected. Ultimately, we call for peace and ending the unthinkable and long pain of the people in this area.
