Humanitarian workers reach Kisangani

With a shaky ceasefire holding in the northeastern city of Kisangani, humanitarian workers have been able to go in and assess the situation on the ground. Nicky Smith who heads the Kisangani intervention for Medecins sans frontieres (MSF) told IRIN on Monday that parts of the city are completely flattened and there are many unexploded objects lying around, which is another cause of concern. She said three children were killed by unexploded grenades on Sunday. A rapid assessment, carried out in conjunction with ICRC, included visits to health structures where provisional casualty tolls were 1,100 people injured and 45 dead. However, Smith pointed out that the death toll will be much higher. She said that in the Tshopo area, where much of the fighting between Rwandan and Ugandan troops took place, there were many bodies lying around, both civilian and military. She said MSF was sending in planes with medical and other assistance, and full charters were coming in from Amsterdam. "We're living in a day to day situation," she said, adding that the level of coordination was very good and the assistance would have an "immediate impact". Lack of power and water was a major concern, but one feeding centre was still operational although another had been badly looted. MSF also visited seven sites where about 7,000 displaced people have congregated. The situation is considered very precarious and there is a need for food supplies, as well as drinking water and sanitation. MSF believes there are many more displaced people, but has been unable to visit them as yet. A major concern facing aid workers is the possible outbreak of a cholera epidemic, as the disease is endemic in the region. Preparations are underway to open a cholera treatment centre.