14-03-2024 | di COOPI

DRC. In Ituri and Maniema to counter morbidity and mortality among displaced and host populations.

In Ituri, a province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, more than 2 million people live as internally displaced persons under malnutrition and with a deeply disorganized health system due to intra-community conflicts. In addition, in the Tunda sanitary zone in Maniema, the monkeypox epidemic continues to spread, straining an already precarious health care system: there are severe shortages of medicines, vaccines, staff and access to basic medical and social services.

The assessment conducted by ALIMA, COOPI's partner, in May 2022 speaks clearly: Maniema province is the third province affected by the epidemic, with the Tunda area accounting for 90 percent of cases and over 60% of cases are children between the ages of 5 and 14. In addition, access to clean water is a real challenge in many parts of the country. Malnutrition also remains at alarming levels, above the WHO emergency threshold of 2 percent.

Therefore, after the already implemented project funded by european Humanitarian Aid (Directorate General for European Humanitarian Aid Operations) in 2022-2023, COOPI has implemented a new action project from May 1, 2023, to the end of January 2024, aiming to contribute to the stabilization of 14 health areas affected by a highly volatile security environment. This multi-sectoral emergency assistance project consolidates activities already implemented with the previous project in the areas of health, nutrition, protection, and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene promotion).

In particular, in Ituri, essential drugs and free curative and preventive care services, including mental health care, follow-up and rehabilitation, were provided to the entire population in the assisted areas. In addition, the consortium continued to respond to the epidemic during the two epidemic peak periods, providing free high-quality care for suspected and confirmed cases, as well as diagnostic and research activities. Prevention activities against gender-based violence were implemented, targeting survivors of violence, pregnant and breastfeeding women, women of childbearing age, youth, and adolescents.

COOPI has been present in the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC since 1977 and is committed to managing multi-year projects to guarantee sustainable and harmonious development. COOPI's presence in the country for over 40 years gives it in-depth knowledge of the territory, which is also reflected in good coordination and synergy with the other players present.