Violence spikes and civilians suffer in North Kivu, DRC

The latest field reports from MSF

All photos: DRC 2007 © Marcus Bleasdale

A displaced woman walks through an IDP camp in Goma, North Kivu.

Since 1998, civilians in the North Kivu province of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have been caught in the middle of a battle for control between local and foreign militias, the Congolese army, and UN forces. In late 2007, new waves of fighting began more massive displacements of an already weakened population. Many are said to be living in the forest without adequate shelter, water, medical care or food, and under the continuous threat of insecurity, too scared to travel to health clinics. In North Kivu, MSF currently has projects in Rutshuru, Masisi, Lubero, Walikale, and Goma districts, with a total of 475 Congolese staff and 45 international staff.

	Field News Permanent Emergency in North Kivu March 12, 2008 Despite a ceasefire agreement between the government and armed groups, insecurity persists and the population is still on the run. The head of mission in DRC describes how MSF is scaling up activities.
	Video Civilians Flee Fighting December 17, 2007 In North Kivu province, intense fighting has triggered massive population displacements. MSF has increased its operations, but access is severely hampered due to insecurity.
	Audio Slideshow The impact of violence in North Kivu November 2007 Jane Coyne, MSF head of mission in North Kivu, describes the consequences of this latest round of fighting in North Kivu in an audio photographic slideshow with images taken by photojournalist Marcus Bleasdale.
	Podcast "People are living in really marginal conditions" In an interview with Sandra Murillo, MSF's Jane Coyne talks about the living conditions for displaced people in the province.   Download | All Podcasts
	Operational Update MSF in North Kivu November 27, 2007 MSF is increasing its activities in North Kivu to meet the urgent need for medical care.
	Interview Patients arrive at MSF's Masisi hospital in critical condition October 25, 2007 MSF nurse Anne Khoudiacoff describes treating civilians during a massive surge of violence
	News Update In Rutshuru, spike in violence impacts medical care November 13, 2007 Clashes have forced tens of thousands to flee in search of safety, with many settling in the Rutshuru area. At the town hospital, MSF is handling a sharp increase in the number of patients.
	Interview Displaced people dying from preventable diseases November 13, 2007 Jane Coyne, MSF head of mission in DRC, describes the frustration of seeing scores of civilians die from the inability to access health care.