On July 16, the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) deployed the base near the town of Nyakunde, in Ituri province, allowing ‘blue helmets’ to patrol to better protect hospitals and patients.
The base opened a day after a series of incidents shook the community in and around Nyakunde.
On July 15, a group of youths vandalized the local Ebola treatment center. The assassination of local militia leader Kakani Tondabo sparked clashes that left five others dead.
Since the Congolese government declared the current Ebola outbreak on May 15, National health authorities have reported more than 2,500 cases and more than 1,000 deaths.
At least a dozen facilities have been attackedlargely due to fear, misinformation and deep community distrust of outside authorities.
MONUSCO said its presence in Marabo – near Nyakunde – has restored calm and allowed residents fleeing violence to return to their homes.
“People quickly understood that we had come to help restore security and protect the Ebola Treatment Center,” said Major Atiqur, commander of the new mobile base. “Today we receive a warm welcome wherever we go.”
Security needed for Ebola treatment
The local center is located next to the Nyakunde General Referral Hospital. It has a capacity of 31 beds.
Dr. Charles Kashindi, the hospital’s medical director, said community awareness campaigns in the area are beginning to decrease Ebola cases.
“Just a few weeks ago, we were seeing six to seven patients a day,” he said. “Today, we are only seeing two or three.”
Local health officials are now calling for a permanent MONUSCO presence to ensure the safety of patients while they receive treatment.
“Our mission is to restore hope to communities that have gone through extremely difficult times,” said Captain Ary, commander of the local MONUSCO patrol.
Violence continues in the east
Amid the current Ebola outbreak, the conflict between the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Rwandan-backed armed group M23 continues in the east of the country, especially in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu.
The UN humanitarian aid office (OCHA) reported that At least 60 civilians have been killed since July 12 on the border between North Kivu and Ituri. – the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak.
On Thursday, 30 people died near the town of Mambasa.
According to UN humanitarian partners, 25,000 displaced people recently arrived in the city of Beni in North Kivu, taking refuge in the homes of already vulnerable families or in abandoned buildings.
OCHA warned Friday that recent Ebola cases in Kisangani have raised concerns that the virus could soon spread across the Congo River to the rest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The UN and its partners are currently preparing for the possibility of further spread in the region. establishing infection prevention and control protocols, expanding treatment centers and preparing safe burials.
“The UN reiterates its call for the protection of civilians and for safe and sustained humanitarian access to people affected by the violence and the Ebola outbreak,” the aid coordination agency said.
