Security issues and access to healthcare for displaced people: the worrying situation in the province of Ituri in the DRC
In its monthly report, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) highlighted the challenges faced by displaced people in Ituri province, Democratic Republic of Congo. The growing insecurity in the region has a direct impact on access to essential medical care for these vulnerable populations.
Since the beginning of the year, the province of Ituri has been the scene of an upsurge in armed attacks, leading to the displacement of thousands of people. According to figures provided by MSF, nearly 700,000 people have been displaced in the territory of Djugu, or 1.7 million in the whole of Ituri province.
Some displaced people have found refuge in specially equipped sites, while others are living with host families. This precarious situation has serious consequences on their access to care and their mental health, in particular by exposing communities to extreme inter-communal violence.
Health structures in the region are particularly affected by this insecurity. In the event of threats or attacks near health centres, patients and medical staff are forced to flee, leaving medical facilities deserted. Poignant testimonies, such as that of Dr. Kelly Tsambou, head of MSF medical activities in the Drodro health zone, underline the scale of the problem. “I was in my office when I heard that there were gunshots 2 km from the hospital. I saw that all the patients were fleeing the hospital and panicking,” he said.
Faced with this alarming situation, MSF is making additional efforts to meet the humanitarian needs in the Drodro health zone. The organization is setting up additional resources in the various health structures, in order to ensure impartial medical assistance and guarantee access to care for displaced communities.
This humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo highlights the importance of humanitarian action and international solidarity. Displaced people in Ituri province urgently need medical assistance and psychological support in order to rebuild their lives in safe conditions. It is essential to raise awareness of this worrying situation and to mobilize the necessary resources to meet the medical needs of the displaced populations.
In conclusion, the situation of the displaced in the province of Ituri in the DRC remains critical, with access to medical care hampered by the persistent insecurity. It is imperative that the international community and humanitarian actors redouble their efforts to respond to this crisis and support vulnerable populations in their quest for care and safety