SOUTH KIVU, CONGO FLOODS: ‘People need to tell their experiences, to be free again. It’s vital’

Published 17th October 2023

Doctors of the World provided psychological first aid to more than 420 victims of the floods and landslides that affected the Kalehe area of South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, last May.

Following the deadly floods and landslides that affected more than 100,000 people and killed more than 470 people, Doctors of the World immediately mobilised to respond to this humanitarian crisis.

Oscar Ayagirwe Bahiva, who coordinated the emergency response for Doctors of the World, commented, “The victims of the disaster are still strongly marked by what they have experienced. They have lost their loved ones, their property, their animals, and live in temporary shelters, which are overcrowded. As soon as there is a little rain, people are afraid and leave the area. The trauma is still there”.

In collaboration with the local health authorities of South Kivu, Doctors of the World has provided psychological first aid to more than 420 people between June and July. Our psychologists provided mental health support, including individual and group sessions, to take care of traumatised and suffering people.
In addition to providing these services, we trained more than fifty health professionals such as doctors, nurses, midwives to respond to the increased need for medical care, and supported rescuers, searching for and removing victims from rubble.

“The people we meet speak very easily. They trust us to listen to their stories and nightmares; before the disaster, when it hit them, and after. They take the time to unload and share. They want to feel alive again. These sessions are becoming vital”, added Oscar Ayagirwe Bahiva.

Doctors of the World has also raised awareness of mental health care and trauma with 1,340 people in the community.

“These therapeutic sessions are essential, but people affected by the floods also have other needs: access to drinking water, shelter, medical care, etc. This crisis has further increased the vulnerability of many displaced people who were already living in the area, who fled conflict in North Kivu, and took refuge here”.

Doctors of the World UK is part of the Médecins du Monde International Network (MdM), made of 17 independent health and human rights organisations working on domestic and international projects.
Providing care, bearing witness, and supporting social change, MdM continues its mission to fight for the universal right to health. Between us, we are delivering over 400 projects in more than 70 countries.