DRC - South Kivu: MSF responds to worst cholera epidemic in five years

After eight weeks of emergency intervention by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Sangé in the province of South Kivu, the number of cholera cases have fallen by 90% and the epidemic is currently under control. ​ The epidemic – the most serious in the area in five years – has been driven by limited access to water collection points and a fragile health system. It has also been exacerbated by the mass displacements of people fleeing the ongoing clashes between the Congolese army, allied with the Wazalendo, and the AFC/M23. ​ In response, MSF is supporting the cholera treatment centre at Sangé General Hospital and the Ndunda Health Centre on the outskirts of the city.

“In the middle of the night, I had excruciating stomach pains followed by vomiting and diarrhoea. When I saw that my condition was getting worse, I alerted my neighbours, who helped me pay for a motorcycle to take me here to the hospital,” says Tanishaka, a 48-year-old farmer, and one of over 800 people infected with cholera and being treated by MSF in Sangé.

“Due to the presence of armed groups, it was impossible for people to access water collection points, whose filtration systems were clogged with sand and dirt. People were deprived of safe drinking water,” explains Mamadu Diallo, MSF medical team leader.

Most residents were left with no other choice than to drink unsafe water from the river or irrigation canal. Busime, the mother of three-year-old Gisele, who is suffering from cholera and being treated at Sangé General Hospital said “It's dirty water that hasn't been treated, but because of the water shortage, we drink it because we have no other choice. My daughter became completely dehydrated. She stayed in bed and couldn't even get up after going to the toilet."

MSF is working with the community to help clean up water collection points. In total, MSF has set up more than 50 water chlorination points in the Ruzizi health zone. ​ Eventually, the water will be filtered and chlorinated again. “Free access to drinking water collection points is the major problem in the area, and this is what needs to be addressed as a priority,” explains Edwige Baluga, MSF medical coordinator.

“The constant displacement of people caused by the conflict is bringing people into the area who have never been educated about cholera prevention measures,” explains Elisé Wilondja, MSF health promotion supervisor. MSF is raising awareness among community leaders to apply preventive hygiene measures and identify signs of the disease. People are also being trained to properly wash water containers that may be contaminated.

At the end of January, after an explosion in the city, which killed several people and injured a dozen others, the MSF emergency team had to evacuate Sangé for security reasons. However, it will continue to carry out its activities remotely until mid-February.