** Kinshasa, June 04, 2025 – Humanitarian support and health challenges in Kalehe: a necessary analysis **
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to face humanitarian challenges of considerable scale, and the province of South Kivu, notably the Kalehe region, is no exception. Recently, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced the deployment of an emergency project over a period of three months, aimed at supporting four local health structures. This project raises essential questions about humanitarian response and health realities in areas often prey to instability.
The project in question concerns the Bushushu health center, the Nyabibwe health center and hospital center, and the Numbi health center. Beneficiaries of these interventions will mainly be children from zero to 15 years, as well as other particularly vulnerable groups, such as victims of sexual violence and pregnant women. The operation is spread over several months and includes monthly medication donations and support for the skills of health professionals.
### Medico-health context during conflict
The situation in South Kivu is marked by continuous instability, often fueled by armed conflicts and displacement of populations. Thousands of people live under precarious conditions, with limited access to health care. The testimony of audacity Ngarukiye, a nyabibwe health center nurse, underlines the urgency of an intervention, echoing the reality of many health professionals working in difficult conditions, often without sufficient resources. The need for the project is therefore undeniable because it meets a pressing need for medical care for populations at the mercy of instability.
### Support necessary but temporary support
Although the ICRC initiative offers temporary relief to part of the population, it is crucial to consider the sustainability of such assistance projects. Three months, although significant, are generally not enough to transform the local health system or to ensure the sustainable management of patients. What will happen after this emergency period? What mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that these structures continue to operate effectively beyond the CICR support?
### to a structural improvement
The intervention of the ICRC should also serve as a catalyst for a broader debate on improving health infrastructure, on the continuous training of medical personnel and on strategies to deal with humanitarian crises. Lessons learned from similar projects could be crucial to forging long -term solutions. Resilient development initiatives could be envisaged, incorporating public health experts, crisis management and local capacity building.
### An invitation to reflection
While we welcome the commitment of the ICRC and health workers who face these daily challenges, it is essential to wonder how we can, as an international community, support initiatives that go beyond emergency humanitarian aid. The redistribution of responsibilities and resources is a key question to approach in order to tackle the roots of problems. How to guarantee that the voices of the affected communities be integrated into the planning and execution of these interventions?
### Conclusion
The ICRC initiative in Kalehe represents a glimmer of hope for thousands of inhabitants in need. However, it also highlights the need for a deeper reflection on the structural and systemic challenges encountered by the health sector in the DRC. By balancing the immediate responses to urgent needs and favoring sustainable and inclusive approaches, it is possible to pave the way to a healthier future for these weakened communities. Opening a space for dialogue between local, national and international actors seems to be a necessary step in this direction.