** Vaccination in Djugu territory: a challenge of resilience in the face of insecurity **
In the Ituri region in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), an alarming contradiction is going on at the beginning of 2024. While insecurity continues to reign supreme, hundreds of displaced women, representing the majority of vulnerable populations in the territory of Djugu, testify to resilience in the face of the health crisis. They strive to maintain a vaccination calendar, defying precarious and dangerous living conditions. This painting highlights not only the importance of vaccination, but also social upheavals caused by years of armed conflict.
### A vaccination awareness: the lighting of Dr. Mulumba
The testimonies collected in the field reveal a fascinating paradox: despite the ambient instability, a certain vaccine consciousness emerges within this population. Dr. Mulumba, eminent responsible for health in the region, attributes this dynamic to successful awareness campaigns. According to him, “vaccination is considered an essential shield against dreaded diseases such as measles and polio, especially for young children”. Indeed, the statistics of the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that a non -vaccinated child has 35% additional opportunities to contract avoidable diseases, a challenge that these mothers seek to counter despite the logistical challenges.
### The chaotic journey towards vaccination: between hope and disappointments
Pregnant women, breastfeeding and mothers, constituting fundamental pillars of children’s health, frequent health centers in sites such as Djaiba and the Savo plain. These places, connecting the displaced and the medical services, represent a glimmer of hope, although their vaccine supply is often interrupted. The lack of resources and the difficulties of access to care, exacerbated by looted or closed health structures, make this reality a perilous struggle.
The stories of women who, despite obstacles, manage to vaccinate their children are poignant. Some go to the Fataki General Hospital or the Bule’s reference health center to recover an essential vaccine after a delay. Others, like Mama Amina, forty years and mother of three, say they have walked hours in the hope of finding a vaccine. “I have to protect my children, even if it means putting my life in danger,” she explains.
### Insecurity: Entering public health
Unfortunately, the sometimes promising advance in vaccination is suddenly thwarted by the activism of armed groups. This phenomenon does not just create a climate of fear; It also causes disastrous stagnation in vaccination rates. According to official data, less than 40% of children under the age of five in certain localities in Djugu have received routine vaccines in 2023. This alarming figure compares unfavorably to the national average of 85%, revealing a disturbing fracture in the ‘Equal access to care.
The psychosocial impact of conflicts on mothers and children is also not discussed. Psychological distress caused by insecurity can affect the motivation and the ability to make decisions concerning the health of children. On the one hand, women seek to protect their offspring; On the other, omnipresent fear, forced trips and uncertainty permeate their daily lives.
### towards better coordination: measures to consider
To remedy this crisis of trust and resources, collaboration between local authorities, international organizations and NGOs seems to be a viable solution. A working model focused on community awareness and logistical support could strengthen access to vaccines, even in risk areas.
In addition, strengthening the capacity of local health infrastructure and providing training to health workers on conflict resistance could transform the current dynamics. Vaccination education initiatives and care programs for mothers and children must be accompanied by reinforced security to maintain the sustainability of these efforts.
### Conclusion
The situation of the displaced to Djugu is emblematic of the global challenges in matters of public health in contexts of war and massive displacement. If the resilience of these women is admirable, it should not be an excuse for neglecting their fundamental rights to health and well-being. The time has come to act, to erect a bridge between humanitarian emergency and health rights, in order to ensure that each child, each mother, can benefit from the care they so much need, far from the specter of Insecurity. To finance vaccination and protect civilians, such is the real issue that will determine the future of this bruised region.