War Between M23 Rebels and DRC Leads to Health Crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo

This Picture provided by WHO (World Health Organization) shows large amounts of displaced civilians during the healthcare crisis.

As the tension between M23 rebels and the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to heighten due to the current ongoing war between the parties, civilian casualties surge to a new high.

As a consequence of the escalating violence, hundreds upon thousands of civilians are experiencing significant trauma, displacement and even loss of life. To make this situation worse, the few remaining hospitals and healthcare infrastructures are overwhelmed. According to 31 healthcare facilities near Goma, North Kivu, there have been 3082 injured and 843 dead since Jan. 26.

There has been a devastating loss of healthcare infrastructures in North Kivu as 70, or 6%, of them are either struggling to restart operations or have been completely destroyed. Many healthcare providers are forced to flee their working environment due to threats of safety.

Patients with cancer, diabetes and hypertension are heavily affected as medication runs low. The death rates for pregnancy and childbirth rise to a new high as there has been a lack of health support for women caused by insecurities to travel. The threat of infectious diseases has multiplied. Cholera, Malaria, Measles, meningitis, Monkey pox and Tuberculosis are among the infectious threats in the area. The water supply in Goma was disrupted and has only partially resumed, leading people to use water from the lake, and heightening the risk of cholera spread. Close to 600 suspected cases of cholera and 14 deaths were reported from North Kivu between Jan. 1- Jan.30.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has deployed emergency medical supplies, hygiene and water treatment supplies, and tents to increase hospital capacity by 1000 beds. Supplies are being depleted rapidly, and more resources are urgently needed. WHO is preparing further deliveries as part of a European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)-led effort to fly in critical supplies. For this, the Goma airport--a critical lifeline-- must be urgently reopened. WHO is also exploring options to deliver critical supplies through other routes.