The province of North Kivu is facing a very serious humanitarian crisis. Nearly 800,000 people have been displaced over the past year mainly due to the conflict linked to the M23, a rebellion, supported according to the UN in particular, by neighboring Rwanda and which has conquered part of the province of North Kivu for a year of which Goma is the capital.
In the city, the camps are overcrowded and living conditions are difficult. This is the case of Bulengo, on the axis that connects Saké to Goma and which is home to more than 100,000 people. As a result of this situation, cases of cholera are increasing.
“Over the past two weeks, we have seen more and more cases of diarrhea. These cases of diarrhea came from Bulengo IDP sites. This is where we are now, we are in a treatment center where, as you can see, there are plenty of patients who receive the infusions to rehydrate them. The fact that cholera leads to dehydration of patients, the adjunctive treatment is just to replenish lost fluids. » explains Dr. Alain.
Several tents have been set up next to the health center. Currently, 175 beds are operational. Not enough. Some beds are shared by several patients. And Joseph, the head of nursing activities, fears new arrivals given the living conditions in the camp. “It’s a disease of dirty hands. So if we don’t have all the sanitation facilities at the camp level for the displaced to use, the risk of the disease spreading increases a lot. »
To be able to take care of this influx of patients, MSF is building and installing new tents in the heart of Bulengo.