Goma, 13 January 2012 – In their already dire living conditions, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Shasha camp, Masisi terriroty, in Nord Kivu province, are now facing another difficulty: malaria. But it wasn't until many of them experienced severe symptoms of the disease that they thought of requesting assistance from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) to curb the outbreak.

There is an estimated 200 IDPs currently staying in Shasha, a village located some 15 kilometers from the town of Sake, the territorial capital of Masisi. Their request for medical assistance reached the Indian peacekeepers based in the region on 2 January. On 4 January, a medical team was dispatched to the site, where they conducted malaria tests, and gave treatment drugs as well as prophylaxis.

Shasha camp was initially established in 2007, following the arrival of a first batch of displaced persons fleeing their homes in the village of Tungulu, Rutshuru territory, after fighting broke out between the Armed Forces of the D.R. Congo (FARDC) and elements of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). The IDP population of Shasha camp comprises different ethnic groups from the region.

Clara Padovan/ MONUSCO