DRC: Epicentre of humanitarian crisis, says WHO

Story: DRC: Update on health situation - WHO

DURATION (TRT): 2’31"

SOURCE: UNTV CH

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/NATS

ASPECT RATIO: 16/9

DATELINE: 22 September 2023, GENEVA SWITZERLAND

FORMAT: HYBRID PRESS BRIEFING

SHOTLIST

Exterior medium shot: UN flag alley, UN Geneva
Wide shot: speakers and attendees at the press conference, screens with speaker
SOUNDBITE (English) – Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo, WHO representative in DRC: “DRC is facing its worst cholera outbreak since 2017. The eastern provinces are the most affected ones, accounting for 80 per cent of the cases. We have close to 30,000 suspected cases of cholera reported. The country is also battling the largest outbreak of measles recorded since 2019.”
Medium shot: attendees at the press conference
SOUNDBITE (English) – Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo, WHO representative in DRC: “The country is battling an epicenter of the humanitarian crisis over the past two decades, the eastern side of the country is severely affected due to the intensity of the conflict and the increasing humanitarian needs.”
Wide shot: attendees at the press conference
SOUNDBITE (English) – Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo, WHO representative in DRC: “The combination of measles and malnutrition has severe health impacts on children under five years of age, putting them at risk of dying with lack of access to adequate treatments. WHO has deployed experts to affected areas to support the authorities in investigating and responding to these outbreaks.”
Medium shot: attendees at the press conference
SOUNDBITE (English) – Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo, WHO representative in DRC: “On the gender-based violence, I will mention our support to victims of gender-based violence. Around 23,000 cases of gender-based violence were reported in the six provinces from January to August 2023. These numbers are probably much higher considering the low reporting by the victims and the weakness of health services to capture this data in a more exhaustive way.”
Medium shot: podium of the press conference
SOUNDBITE (English) – Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo, WHO representative in DRC: “DRC must not be forgotten. We need more whatever the support of our donors and partners to continue delivering these much needed health services to the people of DRC. WHO response is only funded by 14 per cent so far. We need a more sustainable and resilient health response in DRC.”
Wide shot: attendees at the press conference, screens with speaker
Medium shot: attendees at the press conference

STORYLINE

Eastern DR Congo is epicentre of humanitarian crisis, says WHO

Increasing violence from armed conflict and intercommunal clashes which have left entire villages burned to the ground in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) along with rampant sexual violence and a cholera outbreak are devastating the lives of millions of people, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.

“The country is battling an epicenter of the humanitarian crisis over the past two decades, the eastern side of the country is severely affected due to the intensity of the conflict and the increasing humanitarian needs,” reported Dr. Boureima Hama Sambo, WHO’s representative in the DRC.

According to the WHO, a total of 7.4 million people in the DRC need health assistance and conditions are worsening. Some 6.3 million have been displaced in the last 18 months in the eastern part of the country and they are more at risk of disease outbreak and acute malnutrition as they have limited or no access to food, safe water and health care.

The UN health agency has verified 32 attacks on health facilities and workers in 2022, (causing three deaths and injuring seven) compared to 19 attacks so far in 2023. Health facilities have been set on fire, health workers killed and supplies looted. The ongoing violence is also hindering the delivery of health services on the ground at a time when needs are critical.

“DRC is facing its worst cholera outbreak since 2017”, said Dr. Hama Sambo. “The eastern provinces are the most affected ones, accounting for 80 per cent of the cases. We have close to 30,000 suspected cases of cholera reported. The country is also battling the largest outbreak of measles recorded since 2019.”

This number compares to only slightly over 5,000 last year for the same period.

WHO has deployed experts to affected areas to support the authorities in investigating and responding to these outbreaks.

“The combination of measles and malnutrition has severe health impacts on children under five years of age, putting them at risk of dying with lack of access to adequate treatments,” said the WHO representative.

The WHO has also provided increasing support to the victims of gender-based violence, including access to mental health and psychosocial support, medical care and post-exposure prophylaxis.

“Around 23,000 cases of gender-based violence were reported in the six provinces from January to August 2023. These numbers are probably much higher considering the low reporting by the victims and the weakness of health services to capture this data in a more exhaustive way,” noted Dr. Hama Sambo.

The UN health organization recently completed a vaccination campaign in Ituri province reaching over one million of children under five with a coverage of 88 per cent. More vaccination campaigns will follow in other provinces.

The WHO’s representative underscored that DRC “must not be forgotten. We need more support of our donors and partners to continue delivering these much-needed health services to the people of DRC.”

The WHO’s response plan of $31 million is only 14 per cent funded ($4,3 million).

-ends-

DRC: Epicentre of humanitarian crisis, says WHO

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