On July 16, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) deployed the base near the town of Nyakunde, in Ituri province, allowing “blue helmets” to patrol to better protect hospitals and patients.
The base opened a day after a series of incidents rocked the community in and around Nyakunde.
On July 15, a group of youths vandalized the local Ebola treatment center. The assassination of local militia leader Kakani Tondabo sparked clashes that resulted in the deaths of five other people.
Since the Congolese government declared the current Ebola epidemic on May 15, national health authorities have reported more than 2,500 cases and more than 1,000 deaths.
At least a dozen establishments were attackedlargely due to fear, misinformation, and the community’s deep distrust of outside authorities.
MONUSCO said its presence in Marabo – near Nyakunde – restored calm and allowed residents fleeing the violence to return home.
“People quickly understood that we had come to help restore security and protect the Ebola treatment center,” said Major Atiqur, commander of the new mobile base. “Today we receive a warm welcome wherever we go. »
The safety needed to treat Ebola
The local center is located next to the Nyakunde General Referral Hospital. It has a capacity of 31 beds.
Dr. Charles Kashindi, medical director of the hospital, said community awareness campaigns in the area were starting to decrease Ebola cases.
“Just a few weeks ago, we were seeing six to seven patients a day,” he said. “Today, we only see two or three.”
Local health officials are now calling for a permanent presence of MONUSCO to ensure the safety of patients during their treatment.
“Our mission is to bring hope to communities who have gone through extremely difficult times,” said MONUSCO local patrol commander Captain Ary.
Violence continues in the East
Amid the ongoing Ebola outbreak, conflict between the DRC armed forces and the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group rages in the east of the country, particularly in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu.
The UN humanitarian aid office (OCHA) reported that at least 60 civilians have been killed since July 12 along the North Kivu-Ituri border – the epicenter of the Ebola epidemic.
On Thursday, 30 people were killed near the town of Mambasa.
According to UN humanitarian partners, 25,000 displaced people recently arrived in the town of Beni, North Kivu, sheltering with already vulnerable families or in abandoned buildings.
OCHA warned on Friday that recent Ebola cases in Kisangani have raised fears that the virus could soon spread across the Congo River to the rest of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The UN and its partners are currently preparing for the possibility of further spread in the region. implementing infection prevention and control protocols, expanding treatment centers and preparing for safe burials.
“The UN reiterates its call for the protection of civilians and safe and sustainable humanitarian access to people affected by violence and the Ebola outbreak,” the aid coordinating agency said.
