North Kivu: Monusco raises awareness among Nobili populations in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic

Displaced populations return to their villages thanks to the improvement of the security environment

14 Apr 2020

North Kivu: Monusco raises awareness among Nobili populations in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic

Sy Koumbo S. Gali

Since mid-March, the displaced populations in Kamango and Nobili, in the chiefdom of Watalinga, more or less 70 km north-east from Beni, have gradually started to return home. This return, which takes place in a context characterized by the coronavirus pandemic, leads MONUSCO to combine its regular operations with awareness-raising against the spread of the Coronavirus, for a better protection of civilians.

 The return of the populations can be explained by the improvement of the security environment thanks to the strengthening of the security system put in place by MONUSCO Intervention Brigade (FIB) and the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC). Since then, regular meetings have been organized with returnees, local authorities, civil society actors and security forces to discuss protection mechanisms.

 In order to protect this population, trying to resume their normal course of life, from the coronavirus, the Civil Affairs Section of MONUSCO, through the Community Liaison Assistant (CLA) of Kamango, organized last week an awareness-raising session in Nobili, 9 km from Kamango on the border with Uganda. The sensitization was organized in collaboration with the FIB, FARDC, the Congolese National Police (PNC), the medical staff, as well as the chief of Walatinga chiefdom.

 The purpose was to explain the need to implement the measures put in place by Government authorities to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the area.

"Indeed, with the measures put in place by the Head of state and the provincial governor, the borders with Uganda are closed. But we wanted the security forces to be able to strengthen their presence, to enforce these measures, because there are people who use roundabout paths, and they can bring the disease back to us," said the chief of Walatinga chiefdom, Mwami Pascal Sambili.

From this meeting and the discussions that ensued, several recommendations were made. In particular, the participants asked for large-scale awareness campaigns to be carried out, including through radio broadcasts, to make people respect the measures put in place by the authorities. It was also requested that the medical staff draw up an emergency health plan, under the leadership of the chief of the chiefdom, and that the staff assigned to the Lamiya border check between Uganda and the DRC be strict in applying the measures: hand-washing and swabs for temperatures. 

 MONUSCO also stressed the need to improve the alert system to ensure that medical personnel are alerted on time to any suspected COVID-19 case for rapid action.

 During this meeting, the security issue in the region was not overlooked. While recognizing the efforts made in terms of the protection of civilians which have enabled at least 25 per cent of the population to return, Mwami Pascal Sambili insists that these measures be reinforced "We hail MONUSCO’s contribution since establishing its advanced base in Kamango. We are calling for enhanced joint patrols with FARDC, of course it is already being done, but we must remain vigilant in terms of security, but also in terms of health so that the entire population can return.’’

 " As a result of this threat, the security system put in place by the MONUSCO Intervention Brigade has been further strengthened through mixed day and night patrols with the FARDC.