MSF, Medical Facilities Overstretched by Refugees As Violent Clashes Surge in DR Congo
The chief medical officer of the health centre in Masisi urged the warring parties to keep showing respect for international humanitarian laws to guarantee the safety of unarmed civilians.
Following violent clashes between security forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and the March 23 rebels, hundreds of displaced persons are taking refuge in the Masisi Centre General Hospital and the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) base in the country.
Romain Briey, MSF coordinator in Masisi, expressed deep concern over the conditions of the refugees, noting that most of them are women and children.
“The latrines are overflowing and we are doing our best to respond to this situation but we lack humanitarian actors in the region and this is complicating things for us,” Briey said.
With over 77 wounded persons treated in the first week of the year, MSF and the health ministry facilities are overcrowded. The medical teams have continued to treat wounded persons, despite facing major logistical challenges.
Lucien Kandundao, the chief medical officer of the health centre in Masisi, urged the warring parties to keep showing respect for international humanitarian laws to guarantee the safety of unarmed civilians.
“Fortunately, this respect has been assured to date and we are working to ensure that the neutrality of the hospital is fully respected,” Lucien revealed.
In the neighbouring Lubero territory, particularly in Kitsombiro, a bomb dropped by M23 rebels killed a civilian and destroyed a house on Thursday, Jan. 9, but the violent fights have continued in the Alimbongo forests.
The DR Congo government has vowed to liberate its territories under rebel control and blamed Rwanda for supporting the M23 rebels.
“Our troops have retaken the initiative. In the coming days, you will witness an increase in the firepower of the FARDC and a progressive recuperation of the occupied territories,” government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya recently declared.
Violent clashes between DR Congo's security forces and the March 23 rebels have led to hundreds seeking refuge at the Masisi Centre General Hospital and the MSF base. The majority of the displaced persons are women and children, and the situation is dire with overflowing latrines and a lack of humanitarian support. Overcrowding is an issue, with 77 wounded treated in just the first week of the year, and medical teams are facing logistical challenges.
Chief medical officer Lucien Kandundao urges compliance with international humanitarian laws to protect civilians. A recent attack by M23 rebels in Kitsombiro resulted in civilian casualties, and the DR Congo government holds Rwanda responsible for supporting the rebellion. The government has promised to regain control of rebel-held areas, with increased military efforts anticipated.
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