The impact of insecurity on access to healthcare for displaced people in the province of Ituri in the Democratic Republic of Congo
The situation in the province of Ituri, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is alarming. Growing insecurity in the region is having a devastating impact on access to care for displaced people. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) recently published a report highlighting this sad reality.
Since the beginning of the year, the province of Ituri has been the scene of numerous armed attacks, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes. According to MSF figures, nearly 700,000 people are displaced in Djugu territory, while the province as a whole has 1.7 million displaced people.
These displaced people often end up in camps or are hosted by host families. However, even in these precarious conditions, access to care remains a major challenge. Medical facilities are regularly affected by violence, which leads to their desertion by patients and medical staff.
A poignant testimony from Dr Kelly Tsambou, head of MSF medical activities in the Drodro health zone, illustrates the seriousness of the situation. During an attack near the hospital, he found all the patients fleeing in panic, leaving the facility nearly empty.
Faced with this critical situation, MSF is deploying additional resources in the region’s health structures to meet the medical needs of the displaced. They work hard to provide quality care, despite the many challenges they face.
It is crucial that the international community mobilizes to support the efforts of MSF and other humanitarian organizations working on the ground. Access to health care is a fundamental right, and it should not be compromised due to insecurity.
It is also essential to find long-term solutions to end the violence in the region and allow the displaced to return home safely. This requires coordination and cooperation between local, national and international actors.
Access to health care for displaced people in Ituri province is an urgent issue that cannot be ignored. It is time to act and put in place concrete measures to ensure that everyone, regardless of their displaced status, can receive the care they need to survive and recover.
In this critical situation, we must all mobilize to support MSF’s efforts and make the voices of the displaced people of Ituri heard