Democratic Republic of the Congo

Fieldset

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the largest countries in Africa. This vast nation is rich in natural resources but has faced years of conflict.

A five-year conflict between government forces and rebels caused widespread civilian suffering. A peace deal was reached in 2003, but people in the east of the country continue to live in fear of violence from marauding militias and the army.

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) first worked in DRC in 1981. Our projects have responded to armed conflict, exclusion from healthcare, and both epidemic and endemic diseases, including Ebola.

A young girl with measles is examined in the MSF measles unit at Biringi Hospital, Ituri Province, northeastern DRC

Nicolas Peyraud

Doctor

A deadly double epidemic: Fighting measles and Ebola in DRC

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, some communities are facing a combined outbreak of measles and Ebola. MSF vaccination expert and doctor, Nicolas Peyraud, reveals how our frontline teams are responding to this double epidemic.

30 Dec 2019 / 8 minute read

Sandra Smiley

Advocacy

"More than enough": Climate change, uncertainty and the need to act

In the midst of an emergency, our focus will always be on saving lives. But what role should humanitarians play in a broader issue, like the climate crisis, Canadian advocacy officer Sandra Smiley asks.

09 Dec 2019 / 12 minute read

Wolfgang Funk

Anaesthetics

Which way is home?

For Wolfgang it's time to say goodbye to the people in the D.R. Congo. But every end also means a beginning and there is a magic inherent in it.

19 Nov 2019 / 2 minute read

Wolfgang Funk

Anaesthetics

The deeper the night, the closer the day

The clinic in Mweso in the D.R. Congo counts 13,000 inpatient admissions per year. Wolfgang and his team often reach the limit of exhaustion.

07 Nov 2019 / 4 minute read

Wolfgang Funk

Anaesthetics

The medical and the human side of care

Wolfgang's time in the D.R. Congo is short, just five weeks. But the team is eager to learn. And also Wolfgang is learning a lot - not only French and Swahili.

25 Oct 2019 / 3 minute read

Claire Harper

Midwife

The difference between life and death: A dramatic delivery in DRC

At Walikale hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo, midwife Claire and her team need to make some quick decisions to save a tiny life...

21 Oct 2019 / 5 minute read

Wolfgang Funk

Anaesthetics

Football, family and a new challenge

Wolfgang travels by jeep from Goma to Mweso. A big project and an equally big challenge are waiting for him. But first Wolfgang looks for the most important thing: contact to the people.

11 Oct 2019 / 3 minute read

Wolfgang Funk

Anaesthetics

First stop: Goma

After more than 30 years in business and most recently in a management position, Wolfgang fulfilled a dream: he returned to his roots and set off into the unknown. He blogs from the start of his latest posting, the Democratic Republic of the Congo...

01 Oct 2019 / 3 minute read

Oussama Omrane

Cultural Mediator

Ebola: Letter from Biakato

Oussama blogs from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he shares the "vortex of emotion" experienced on the frontline of the fight against Ebola.

17 Sep 2019 / 9 minute read

Trish Newport

Project Coordination

Ebola: “Unless change happens, the outbreak isn’t going to end”

One year since the start of the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the epidemic not only still raging, it has become the second-worst in world history. Trish Newport, deputy coordinator of MSF’s Ebola response, reflects on the epidemic and the fight to contain it...

01 Aug 2019 / 7 minute read

Claire Harper

Midwife

“I am proud to offer these services”: How we’re improving women’s healthcare in DRC

The team in Walikale, DRC have seen first-hand the devastating impact sexual violence and unsafe abortion can have on their patients. Together they're ensuring that the services MSF offers can help. Midwife Claire blogs...

10 Jun 2019 / 8 minute read

Samy Gerges

Logistician

“I will carry the memories I made in the Congo for life”

Lebanese logistician Samy returns from the Democratic Republic of Congo after a perspective-changing assignment...

30 May 2019 / 5 minute read