The spread of Ebola in areas affected by fighting may further degrade access, highlighting the importance of maintaining space for humanitarian action and of protecting patients and responders from harm.

François Moreillon heads the ICRC delegation in the DRC: “The combination of armed conflict and an epidemic is potentially devastating,” he warns. “In such a critical situation, it is essential that the parties to the conflicts act responsibly, to ensure cooperation and optimum coordination on health matters, the taking of all possible measures to facilitate the work of humanitarian organizations and the rapid, unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance. These measures are essential to ensure that the wounded and sick receive appropriate medical care as quickly as possible.”

Caring for people who have suffered weapon wounds

Almost 1,400 people with weapon wounds received treatment at the five hospitals the ICRC is supporting in the Kivus: Beni General Referral Hospital and Goma CBCA Ndosho Hospital (North Kivu). Bukavu General Provincial Referral Hospital, Uvira General Referral Hospital and Fizi General Referral Hospital (South Kivu).

Protecting family links, in collaboration with the Red Cross Societies of the DRC, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda

• 166 Congolese children reunited with their families, including 99 children in the Kivus
• 4,045 free phone calls organized for separated families in the Kivus, Burundi and Uganda. 2,660 calls resulted in family members restoring contact.

Assistance to children who have left armed forces/armed groups, or who were at risk of being recruited

• Obtained the release of 54 teenagers (aged between 9 and 19 years old) from a place of detention in North Kivu; 47 of them were reunited with their families.
• 28 children returned to school in Rutshuru and Masisi, North Kivu, after receiving school supplies.
• 2 children benefited from socio-economic reinsertion programmes in Rutshuru and Masisi, North Kivu.

Food and financial assistance, in collaboration with the DRC Red Cross

• 20,430 people (displaced persons and host families) living in the Kivus received financial assistance so they could buy food and basic necessities.
• 900 people (displaced persons and host families) living in the Kivus received young fish and toolkits, enabling them to resume fish farming.
• 240 vulnerable people (victims of sexual and other forms of violence) living in the Kivus received financial assistance so they could meet their immediate needs.

Water and habitat

• 40 children received rehabilitation services at a reception centre in Goma, North Kivu.
• Over 4,400 inmates of the central prisons in Beni, Butembo and Goma, North Kivu, benefited from the provision of chlorine to prevent infections and combat infectious diseases.
• Some 27,200 people benefited from the installation of solar-powered water systems and water distribution points in Mbau, Mavivi and Congo ya Sika, North Kivu.
• Some 57,200 people benefited from the installation of water points in Kalehe Centre, Kalehe Littoral and Buziralo, South Kivu.
• The water authority (REGIDESO, Uvira) received donations of water-processing materials and chemicals.
• A large number of people who had suffered weapon wounds, together with other patients, benefited from the renovation and installation of water, plumbing and electrical systems, plus additional tents, at ICRC-supported hospitals in Beni, Uvira and Fizi.