Emergency Health in the Democratic Republic of Congo - Save the Children Canada 2011

31 December 2010 - In north and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) clashes between armed forces rebel groups and various militias continue to wreak severe harm on civilians who are routinely caught in the frontlines of confrontations. The result is extensive humanitarian needs and limited to nonexistent prospects for recovery and development. North Kivu South Kivu and Orientale Province continue to be plagued by serious human rights violations food insecurity high mortality and morbidity rates horrific sexual violence and considerable and ongoing displacement of population groups. Continued population displacements are straining hosting communities themselves having limited resources and lacking the most basic services including health and medical care and safe water infrastructure. With CIDA support Save the Children is addressing the health needs of women and children in conflict-affected communities in North Kivu through the provision of comprehensive reproductive health care and community training and awareness raising. Activities focus on rehabilitating health centres including through the provision of essential medicines and equipment; training health care staff on providing comprehensive and lifesaving reproductive health care services; conducting community training and sensitization on key issues of reproductive health child protection infant and early child survival; and strengthening the community referral system to link communities to appropriate and lifesaving services related to sexual violence reproductive health and protection.