Documentation of humanitarian action in DRC.

In August 2018, an Ebola crisis started in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The world’s second-largest epidemic on record has already taken more than 2,200 lives. One year after the beginning of the outbreak, the Ebola crisis was still ongoing, and the response faces multiple challenges, related to logistics to cover remote areas, as well as resistance from the community.

Besides, some remote parts of the DRC face huge infrastructure issues. In North Kivu, for instance, access to health facilities is an issue for the population who lives in rural areas. Some Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) support the local government in facilitating access to medical facilities. This collaboration can have multiple shapes, such as the capacity building of local medical staff, the construction of new infrastructures and the supply of medicines.

In September and October 2019, I created multimedia content about the programs the Johanniter International Assistance implements in North Kivu, with the main focus on Ebola prevention, basic access to health services and water sanitation.

DRC, Congo, Republic Democratric of the Congo, North Kivu, Goma, Johanniter International Assistance

An overview of the Muheta village. September 2019, Muheta, North-Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

Mr Kasereka, the Main Nurse of the Burungu health centre walks toward the centre. The Burungu Health Centre gives access to basic health care to 19,781 inhabitants. September 2019, Burungu, North-Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

Kanezusi Hategeka is 21 years old, and he lives in Buhambi. He is a farmer and cultivates mostly potatoes and beans. The harvest has been very bad because of the soil. He felt sick very abruptly, and he started to cough (for the last two months) and started to feel weak. Then, it was more and more difficult to breathe. He came to the centre on the 25 of September – 2 days ago – and he felt already better thanks to the medicine given by the JIA. He was given perfusion of "serum glucose" to gain energy as well as antibiotics, and paracetamols to reduce the fever. September 2019, Burungu, North-Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

"I could notice that Kanezusi is getting better since he got to the health centre." Ventina, his mother is 55 years old. She had 11 children, but she remains with 3 as 8 of them died in the army. Eight of her sons died on the battlefield. Her daughter is in Rwanda, and her other son is a shepherd. She could notice that Kanezusi is getting better since he gets in the health centre. September 2019, Burungu, North-Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

Yankurije Beriki is 66 years old. She came four days before with abdominal pain, a high fever, head hake, bleeding, etc. The malaria test was negative. They then suspected she had ebola. Finally, the Ebola test was negative. However, she was kept under observation for a few days. September 2019, Muheta Health Centre, North-Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

“I know ebola exist… I was sensitized to ebola during her prenatal consultation. I wash my hands and avoid shaking hands to people.” Rehema Zaniga comes from Rujebeche village. She usually farms beans and potatoes. She has 13 children, and it’s the last baby she plans to have. She has always given birth in this medical structure. September 2019, Mwanja Health Centre, North Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

Dusabe Celestin was trained by Johanniter International Assistance and volunters as a community relay in Bihambwe. Every day, he and the other community relays stand at the outskirt of the village and advice the dwellers to wash the hand to prevent Ebola. October 2019, Bihambwe village, North Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

An overview of the new pharmacy built by the Johanniter International Assistance in Masisi. This pharmacy will store medicins, as a new healthcare system will soon be implemented in the region by NGO as well as UN organizations. October 2019, Masisi, North Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

A health worker from the Kibabi Health Centre is washing his hands with the hand-washing kit supplied by the Johanniter International Assistance. Kibabi Health Centre, North Kivu. September 2019, Kibabi Health Centre, North Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

“I heard about Ebola on the radio, but since she is staying at the centre, the nurses are also sensitizing her to Ebola and prevention.” Chantal Uwideye is 33 years old, and she is a farmer in a village called Kalangara. She has five children, but her last born, Leontine is suffering from nutritional hypotrophy, which slows her growth. September 2019, Kibabi Health Centre, North Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

“The community relays are meant to sensitize the population on all challenging issues… Since August/September 2018, they are also making the population aware of Ebola”. Timothy is animating a sensibilization discussion with community relays. September 2019, Kibabi Health Centre, North Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

Community relays are attending an Ebola awareness session at the Kibabi Health Centre. September 2019, Kibabi Health Centre, North Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

Almost a year ago, at around 5 pm, Sophie was alone in the field, and a bandit raped her. Shocked, she told her parents what's happened to her, they advise going to the health post of the village. According to her psychologist who took care of her "She was feeling rejected, stigmatized, etc." when she came the first time, but since, she has received psychological support. September 2019, Kibabi Health Centre, North Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

Deogracias just benefited from water wells from the Johanniter International Assistance next to their house. Before, they used to walk a long distance to collect water. September 2019, Karambi, North Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

Martine Zamuhabva is 23 years old, and she is a farmer. She just delivered her second son. She arrived at the health centre at 5 am and delivered without any problem. She was well welcomed by the team. September 2019, Muheta Health Centre, North-Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

Uwizeye Manizabayo just gave birth in the Mpanamo Health Centre, in a health structure run by Johanniter International Assistance. September 2019, Muheta Health Centre, North-Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

“I decided to become a community relay to be honoured by the population and to help the community.” Salama Mujawimana is 23 years old, and she is a community relay. She has a small shop, and she is also a tailor. She has one son, she called him “Jetaime” (Iloveyou) because she loves her husband. September 2019, Muheta Health Centre, North-Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

Two Johanniter staffs ( Jean engineer and Dr Innocent) are standing next to the water tank which was built on top of a nearby hill, and which provides water to the health centre of Mapnamo as well as the Mpanamo village. September 2019, Mpanamo Village, North-Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

“I have been sensitized to Ebola, and its symptoms, such as bleeding, etc. Now, I do not shake the hands of my friends before washing my hands.” Mwamini Ndeze is 18 years old, and she farms beans and potatoes. This year the harvest has been bad. She has been sensitized to Ebola, and its symptoms, such as bleeding, etc. September 2019, Mpanamo Health Centre, North-Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

Dr Marcel Hangi in the newly constructed operation block at Nyakariba Health centre. September 2019, Nyakariba Health centre, North-Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

Christine Mapendo is taking care of Rehema Zaniga who just gave birth at the Mwanja Health Centre. It is also a moment to do some sensitization regarding Ebola. September 2019, Mwanja Health Centre, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Johanniter International Assistance.

Sadiki Marie came in on the 23rd of September, and she left on the 27th. Her baby had a fever and did not breastfeed; he was coughing and had difficulties in breathing. She was not afraid as she knew her baby would be well treated. It was a relief that she would be treated for free. September 2019, Saint Benoit health centre, North-Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.

"I was not afraid as I knew my baby would be well treated. It was a relief that I would be treated for free. " Sadiki Marie is 30 years old, and she is a farmer. She has five children. Her 9-month-old son - Rafiki-Bienvenu – caught pneumonia. She came to the centre. She was already informed that JIA treats patients for free. She has very small earnings, and she could not afford medicine and medical consultation otherwise. September 2019, Saint Benoit health centre, North-Kivu, Johanniter International Assistance.