29 March 2006

Doctors Worldwide has started a project to help internally displaced people in Katanga region in Congo (DRC). Mayi-mayi guerrillas started rebellion against central government in northern Katanga (Bukama and Malemba/Nkulu territories) three months ago.They burned the villages and killed hundreds of people. Many people have fled from them to safe parts of Bukama and Malemba/Nkulu territories. Government and UN forces made significant improvement recently and defeated guerrillas but they moved to north and still continue fighting.

There are 15,343 displaced people in Nyonga village (local population 12,866) and 5130 displaced people in Kibondo village (local population 11,800) in Bukama territory.Their homes and livestock burned by guerrillas. They need food medicine and shelter urgently. DWW with local partner NGO RADEM rented houses in two villages to set up clinics there. DWW/RADEM team led by Dr Eric Kikonde are in Bukama. There is cholera epidemic in the area due to lack hygiene. DWW offered to work in Malemba/Nkulu territory by UN authorities as there is no NGO working there.

DWW assessment team headed to  Malemba/Nkulu territory this week to organize relief operation there.