Doctors Without Borders

Published purpose

31 December 2010 - In north and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), clashes between armed forces, rebel groups and various militias continue to wreak severe harm on civilians, who are routinely caught in the frontlines of confrontations. The result is extensive humanitarian needs and limited to nonexistent prospects for recovery and development. North Kivu, South Kivu and Orientale Province continue to be plagued by serious human rights violations, food insecurity, high mortality and morbidity rates, horrific sexual violence and considerable and ongoing displacement of population groups. Continued population displacements are straining hosting communities, themselves having limited resources and lacking the most basic services, including health and medical care and safe water infrastructure. With CIDA support, Médecins sans frontières (MSF) is helping to meet the emergency medical needs of displaced and host community populations in Haut Uélé and Ituri, Orientale Province. Activities focus on: providing emergency health, medical and surgical care to the target population; ensuring adequate case management of severely malnourished children; providing training, supplies and equipment in local health centres; and conducting community awareness raising on treatment and other services available to victims of sexual violence.