“It’s been a huge struggle to create Ebola transit centres [and] Ebola treatment centres; it’s required money, bringing in staff and it’s been a struggle all across the east,” Mr. Harneis told UN News. “So, when we lose a centre, that means we lose capacity, we lose investment and we have to start again. And above all, it means that people do not get access to the care that they really need.”
The camp had provided shelter for some 19,000 people fleeing violence in the resource-rich east of the country, close to the border with Rwanda. In recent days, thousands of people fled Kigonze following reports that soldiers had entered the site searching for weapons and people suspected of belonging to non-State armed groups. Gunfire was also reportedly heard.
Describing the transit centre fire on Tuesday evening as “deeply disappointing”, Mr. Harneis explained that staff there had provided “essential and excellent” services to those who needed them. He added that the UN is working with authorities to ensure that health facilities are protected. In related developments, more than 3,000 people fled Rhoe displacement camp in Djugu territory (also in Ituri province) following clashes that intensified on 27 September. According to the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, at least four people were reportedly killed and seven injured, while several houses were burned down in Blukwa.
Women and children account for most of those displaced, according to humanitarian sources. Fighting has also severely hampered the Ebola response and restricted humanitarian access to several health zones, including Ituri province’s Fataki, Drodro and Lita.Ongoing insecurity has also delayed the transport of laboratory samples from Fataki to Bunia and disrupted the transfer of confirmed Ebola patients for treatment. Some aid organizations have suspended activities in affected areas.
Source: The UN
The post Ebola response faces setback as transit centre burns down in DR Congo camp appeared first on Vastuullisuusuutiset.fi.