Dire health and humanitarian crisis in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo encourages the escalation of the effort of WHO, partner

A recent increase in violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has led to a significant loss of life, trauma, displacement and destruction of critical health infrastructure, worsening the already difficult situation for millions of people.

The situation remains tense and unstable, and health needs are immense. Who remains on the ground and continued to respond to the health needs of the provision of rescue medical supplies, supporting healthcare professionals and coordinating ambulances.

Hospitals and Morgue are flooded. From January 26, 3082 injured and 843 dead were recorded from 31 health care institutions around Gom, northern Kiv.

In addition to the alarming spread of violence in the south, 65 injuries from 3 hospital in southern Kivu were reported.

These numbers are expected to increase because more injured people are able to reach health institutions, and more dead bodies have been gathered from the streets. Early infections are risk for those who have failed to quickly reach health care facilities, and as health care institutions are running out of stock they need to clean and disinfect.

The view of the body lying is smoothly disturbing. Although the bodies of people who died of injury generally do not carry or wider illness, it is the right of the dead to identify and get appropriate burial, and it is important for life to know that their loved ones have received this care.

Over 70 (or 6%) health institutions in northern Kivu is affected and some are completely destroyed and others who are struggling to restart surgery. Some ambulances are also damaged. Armed groups temporarily occupied a health clinic that supported health care in northern Kivu. Health workers had to flee in places, while in others they work for an hour for days, with limited resources and irresistible demand, and sometimes in danger to their own lives.

Cancer, diabetes, hypertension, mental health and other routine services have also been affected because medicines have run out, and healthcare professionals are either absent or overloaded.

The risk of death during pregnancy and childbirth increased from high levels. Given the insecurity, pregnant women cannot reach health institutions for safe delivery. The experience with the conflict in the region has shown a drastic effect it has, with the birth rate that attended qualified healthcare professionals who have fallen to almost zero during an intense violence period.

The threat of infectious diseases has multiplied. Cholera, malaria, measles, meningitis, MPOX and tuberculosis are infectious threats in the area. The water supply in the crowd was disturbed and only partially continued, which brought people to use water from the lake and increase the risk of cholera spread. Close to 600 suspicious cases of cholera and 14 deaths were reported from northern Kivu between 1 and 27 January.

The Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, especially South Kivo Province, is the epicenter of the MPOX epidemic, which has declared the CEO of WHO an ambulance in public health last August. The MPOX answer is strongly affected. Ninety percent of patients with MPOX (128 of 143) in insulating units in the crowd escaped for safety, which is almost impossible for them to provide care and increase the risk of spread.

One of four people in the region has already faced emergency hunger levels, and is expected to worsen the situation recently. Store and illness go hand in hand: stored people can less fight the disease, while the disease leads to further malnutrition. This vicious circle is particularly concerned when it comes to children, pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Goma was over 2 million people, including 700,000 people displaced with this crisis. These people had to escape once again in search of security. They are in temporary settlements, with their health and security.

A quick assessment of 10 health care institutions in Goma and around it showed an increase in rape and other gender -based violence: there were 45 cases reported among the displaced, and 21 surviving gang rape were admitted to two hospitals. These numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. These patients require medical care, psychological support and support in maintaining life means, especially when they are the only providers of services for their families.

Which arranged an emergency medical stock, hygiene and supplies to treat water and tents to increase hospital capacity for 1000 beds. Stocks are rapidly exhausted, and more resources are urgent.

Which prepares further delivery as part of the European civil protection and humanitarian operation (ECHHO) efforts to fly in critical supplies. For this, the Goma Airport, a critical rescue line, must be opened urgently. Which also explores the possibilities of delivering critical stocks through other routes.

WHO and partners were able to continue vaccinations by MPOX Gomi on Wednesday, February 5, after a 10 -day break.

The recent decision of the United States to freeze foreign help significantly influences the efforts to help in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Last year, the United States contributed as many as 70% of the humanitarian response in the country. In addition, now the main means of MPOX are a response and has pledged a million doses of vaccines for its own shares for global efforts. While anyone who is a humanitarian response in the region relies on the financing of other donors – including the European Union, the United Kingdom and WHO Fund for Extraordinary Situations – reduction of total help will have consequences on human health.

To meet direct health needs in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, including for a safe and dignified funeral, which spent $ 600,000. The total answer requires $ 50 million.

WHO calls for a humanitarian approach, protection of healthcare professionals and facilities and stopping an attack on health care. Health institutions, supplies, workers and patients should be protected. Ultimately, we invite the peace and end of the unimaginable and long suffering of people in this region.