October 30, 2008, Los Angeles, Calif.
- As clashes between rebels and government troops have caused renewed suffering in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, International Medical Corps (IMC) continues delivering emergency assistance to civilians fleeing the fighting, while working to maintain the safety of its staff.
Tens of thousands have been displaced by the latest violence north of Goma. International Medical Corps staff began relocating operations to camps further south from the fighting, and evacuating patients to a hospital in Goma.
"We are extremely concerned about the deteriorating situation, in particular its impact on displaced populations who are now at even greater risk of disease, hunger and sexual violence," said Ben Hemingway, International Medical Corps' Deputy Director of Operations. "We are hopeful that the ceasefire will hold, humanitarian access will be restored, and that the delivery of lifesaving medical assistance can resume to assist the long suffering people of DRC."
International Medical Corps has been operating in the most volatile regions of DRC since the mid-90's. In North Kivu province, where much of the recent fighting has taken place, IMC runs primary health care clinics and nutrition programs that serve more than 300,000 people.