DRC: MSF suspends part of its activities in Ituri due to insecurity
The NGO Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) is stopping part of its activities in Ituri, DRC, due to insecurity.
(Illustrative image) REUTERS/Regis Duvignau
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
An announcement concerning humanitarian projects in Nizi and Bambu, in the far North-East.
A territory under a state of siege for ten months.
The NGO justifies its decision by “
the prolonged absence of security guarantees from the various actors who clash in the region
”.
The decision was taken four months after the attack on an MSF humanitarian convoy by armed men.
Two members of his staff had been seriously injured by bullets.
The inquiry requested of the government remained unanswered.
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With our correspondent in Kinshasa
,
Pascal Mulegwa
The organization finds this closure decision
difficult
, but believes it no longer has a choice.
The situation is becoming untenable for MSF, which no longer wants to expose its staff to risks.
The first victims of its withdrawal are the children who benefited from free medical assistance in this area.
“
We are reluctantly closing these projects because they were two projects in which we carry out a lot of activities, particularly pediatrics.
Last year, in the two hospitals of Nizi and Bambu, more than 7,000 children were admitted to pediatrics.
We are still going to make some donations for a few months of medicines and medical inputs, medical equipment to these structures, but we unfortunately know very well that the situation will certainly deteriorate
,” laments Olivier M., Head of Programs for MSF. in the country.
Climate of impunity
Prior to this announcement, MSF had already suspended its activities in the two towns.
In four months, according to Jérôme Alin, the Organization's head of mission, the mortality rate has tripled.
He also said he was "
deeply disturbed by the climate of impunity that reigns today in this part of the DRC
".
The organization is not leaving Ituri
, however, because it will continue to provide humanitarian assistance, in particular to Drodro and Angumu, where it has been present for several years.
As a sign of solidarity with the affected populations, MSF has decided with its staff to suspend all activities for Wednesday alone, with the exception of care for critical cases.
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