The Moroccan contingent of MONUSCO provided material and medical support on Monday, 2 February, to the Saint Kizito Orphanage in Bunia, in Ituri Province. The donation consisted of mattresses, blankets and medical consumables, as well as a significant batch of medicines for the health centre partnering with the orphanage. The objective of this support is to improve the care provided to the residents.
Strengthening support for the most vulnerable
At the Saint Kizito Orphanage in Bunia, nearly 140 children aged between 0 and 3 years live under difficult care conditions, marked by shortages in medical and accommodation resources. Most of these children lost their mothers during childbirth or as a result of the armed conflicts in Ituri, while others were abandoned by their parents. The orphanage’s management strives to ensure temporary care before placing some of the children with foster families.
Aware of these challenges, the MONUSCO Force, through its Moroccan contingent, provided support to the facility by handing over essential items intended to improve the living conditions and medical care of the residents.
“Several people of goodwill assist us, but this is not sufficient given the growing number of children we receive and our limited resources. This contribution from MONUSCO is therefore most welcome,” said Richard Badinga, Secretary of the Saint Kizito Orphanage.
The Mudizi Maria Health Centre, which provides medical care to the three orphanages in Bunia, including Saint Kizito, also received a batch of medicines from the Commander of the Force Northern Sector, General Saif. The donation included antibiotics, antispasmodics, vitamins, disinfection materials, bandages and first-aid supplies.
“We sometimes receive nearly a dozen children per day, particularly for infections and cases of malaria. Despite limited resources, we do our best to provide them with free medical care, but this remains a real challenge. This support from MONUSCO comes at a timely moment to improve the quality of care,” emphasized Innocent Mateso, Deputy Head Nurse at the Mudizi Maria Health Centre.
In parallel with the medical support, the Moroccan team conducted oral hygiene awareness-raising activities among the children of the Saint Kizito Orphanage, with a view to promoting preventive health practices from an early age.
An expanded medical commitment in support to Protection of Civilians
Beyond the support provided to the Saint Kizito Orphanage, the Moroccan contingent of MONUSCO continues to scale up medical initiatives for vulnerable populations in Ituri. In December 2025, it notably organized a free medical outreach at the Bunia Central Prison, enabling many detainees to access consultations, specialized care and essential medicines.
In several territories of Ituri, the medical teams of the Mission’s various contingents also support public health campaigns by regularly providing free medical care and conducting disease prevention awareness activities in conflict-affected areas.
These interventions, carried out within the framework of civil-military cooperation activities (CIMIC), are closely linked to the protection of civilians, in particular through the reduction of health risks, the prevention of situations of extreme vulnerability and the strengthening of community resilience.
-Didier Vignon Dossou-Gbakon
