### Mpox in North Kivu: An Epidemic under the Kursus of Armed Conflicts and Mass Displacements
The repercussions of the ongoing armed conflicts in the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo are not limited to direct human losses. They also generate health crises, such as those caused by the Mpox epidemic, revealing an alarming picture of public health and human security in this region marked by instability.
The abrupt change in living conditions caused by population displacement – where war forces people to flee their homes – not only accelerates the spread of contagious diseases. It also highlights the structural flaws of the health system, often unable to cope with emergency situations while maintaining basic health care in conflict zones.
#### An Epidemic that is Getting Worse
The data provided during the meeting between the Vice-Governor of North Kivu and Chikwe Ihekweazu, WHO Deputy Executive Director for Emergencies, indicate a worrying increase in notifications of Mpox cases. However, the low lethality of this disease, noted by Dieudonné Muamba of the National Institute of Public Health, hides a darker reality. While the treatment seems effective, the question arises as to the sustainability of this response in a context of ongoing turmoil.
By observing the statistics of the WHO and other humanitarian agencies, we can draw a parallel with other epidemics that have occurred in conflict zones, such as the fight against Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Although here again, progress has been noted in terms of treatment and prevention, the vulnerability of health systems in troubled regions remains a major challenge.
#### Massive Displacement and Impact on Public Health
Population displacement, often due to violence by armed factions such as the M23, leads to supply chain disruptions, limited access to medical care and, consequently, the spread of contagious diseases. The multiplication of areas reporting Mpox cases is an indicator of how conflicts create environments conducive to epidemics.
Studies on population movements in war contexts demonstrate that refugee camps and temporary reception areas are often hotspots for infections. Overcrowding, poor hygiene and limited access to collective care play an aggravating role in the spread of infectious diseases, including Mpox. The implementation of preventive measures is crucial to reverse this trend.
#### Towards a Sustainable Health Response
Dieudonné Muamba discusses the need for increased support from the central level to the province. This raises questions about the effectiveness and coordination of humanitarian efforts in such volatile regions. International efforts, such as those put in place by WHO, must go beyond immediate and ephemeral responses. An integrated strategy that prioritizes the resilience of health systems in times of conflict could significantly reduce the impact of future epidemics.
Successful experiences in other contexts, such as mass vaccination campaigns conducted in times of crisis, could serve as a model for intervention in a response to the Mpox epidemic in North Kivu. Strengthening the capacity for isolation and rapid identification of cases, while sensitizing affected communities to best health practices, is an imperative.
### A Reflection on Health Norms in Conflict Zones
A persistent question remains: how to rebuild sustainably resilient health systems in societies at war? The response requires a holistic approach, which considers not only immediate public health needs, but also the deep roots of political and social instability that fuel these epidemics.
This is a challenge that engages local actors, international agencies and NGOs. By integrating social, economic and cultural dimensions into public health programmes, we could envisage a significant reduction in the vulnerability of war-affected populations to health crises.
In conclusion, the situation in North Kivu illustrates a troubling paradox: while the world is mobilizing to contain epidemics with serious consequences, armed conflicts and population displacement continue to fuel an endless cycle of crises. Faced with this observation, it is urgent to act, not only in response to the current crisis, but by investing in building health systems that will be resilient to future tumults.