BULENGO BRIEFING, DAY 17
Friday, March 10, 2023. The team of facilitators and PSAs closes the third week of field trip with the sensitization on cleanliness and the distribution of kits that can be used to help clean the toilets. A sensitive week with regard to the health situation that has worsened in the camp of Bulengo with regard to diseases related to hands.
According to hospital sources, during this week there were about ten deaths due to diarrhea. To participate in the fight against these diseases, AGIR DRC has again passed in the said camp with a message inviting the population to practice hygiene measures such as hand washing with ash and soap as well as environmental hygiene.
Fortunately, in different blocks, we could see displaced people cleaning with tools provided by AGIR. In block 120, for example, four mothers used a can, a bucket and a broom to clean their toilets. The head of the block indicates that since they received their Kit, they organize themselves in hygiene committee and clean 3 times during the day.
The day was also characterized by a meeting with the children of block 112. There were about 50 of them who gathered to participate, play and sing with the animators. This was an opportunity for AGIR to transmit smiles and love to these children through games and songs.
Taking advantage of the presence of the children accompanied by their parents, the animators passed on messages related to personal hygiene. In addition, a parent from the camp indicated that beyond awareness, it is better to provide the displaced people with sufficient water. We need water for good hygiene, but in this camp, there are days when we spend without access to water. This worsens the health situation of the displaced. She added.
The security situation has not allowed the AGIR team to stay in the camp. The team of psychosocial accompaniers had just completed 11 recordings, including 2 men and 9 women, as well as 4 visits and psychological follow-up. Shortly after, around noon, helicopter gunships were visible. From a distance, heavy weapons could be heard.
Indeed, the situation at about ten kilometers from the camp had just deteriorated. Fighting was raging at the gates of Saké, a city west of the city of Goma. Fearful of the situation, the facilitators called on the driver to return to the AGIR office. On the way back, there were massive displacements of people on the national road.
Fleeing from the detonations of heavy weapons of the inhabitants going to Bulengo, Mugunga coming from the western side of the city of Goma. Thus the city is cut off from the localities that supply it with food. If this situation persists, foodstuffs will be even more expensive on the market.
