ReliefWeb

The Health cluster is requesting US$ 39.5 million to address the health needs of the population affected by recurrent diseases in vulnerable areas.

Current situation

The humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has continued for more than 10 years. The population of the DRC lives in an environment of insecurity and poverty (70% of the population lives below the poverty line). The number of displaced people has increased throughout 2012 and was estimated at 2.4 million in October. This population movement is mainly affecting the provinces of South Kivu, North Kivu, Orientale and Katanga.

Key health indicators such as maternal mortality (540/100 000 live births) in the DRC are alarming.
There is low access to basic health services and a continuation of major outbreaks of cholera, malaria and measles. According to the Nutrition cluster, 2 439 469 children suffer from malnutrition in the country.

Stability has been returning to the western provinces. However, provinces in eastern DRC, are experiencing widespread insecurity caused by conflict between armed groups and government forces. In North Kivu, 60 000 people recently fled IDP camps near Goma to seek shelter in a camp in Mugunga. The DRC Civil Protection Service estimates that there are 140 000 displaced people in and around Goma (November 2012).

Health situation and health risks

There are many factors affecting the health and humanitarian situation across DRC. Conflict, population movements, a food crisis and disease outbreaks are taking place in a country with a weak health system.

There has been a major increase in epidemics, including largely preventable fatal diseases, e.g. measles, diarrheal diseases and cholera, across the whole country. In 2012, the effect of diseases such as cholera, measles, bloody diarrhoea outbreaks, Ebola and rabies has tripled the needs in primary health care, prevention and capacitybuilding activities.

Prolonged instability and chronic emergency in eastern DRC has had a significant impact on the health of displaced and vulnerable populations. The affected population is having difficulties in accessing water, health care and basic services, which puts thousands of people at risk of disease outbreaks. Health partners are facing major challenges in terms of security, access, communication and logistics. Communication challenges affect surveillance and early warning in remote areas of this vast country.