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An interagency assessment mission which visited Kisangani this week identified humanitarian needs that should be urgently addressed, but no acute emergency situation. It expressed concern over the nutrition situation, the lack of water treatment chemicals and of medicines in the town.
The local economy has been severely affected by the war, mainly because of the interruption of usual supply routes since rebels captured Kisangani on 23 August. Prices have dramatically increased and the local population is facing major difficulties in meeting medical costs and buying basic foodstuffs. While a comprehensive nutrition survey could not be conducted, the mission found that cases of severe and moderate malnutrition treated in health centers had notably increased. It acknowledged that an additional caseload was most probably not being served.
The security situation in the Province Orientale capital is calm, despite sporadic incidents. According to testimonies collected in the town, life has returned to normal over the past two weeks, with markets open and people circulating in the streets.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
