In the displacement sites in North Kivu, the needs are desperate
Sarah Tumsifu fled Saké with her family to escape the fighting. More than 2.7 million people like Sarah have been displaced by the crisis in the DRC.
Sarah Tumsifu is welcomed by an HI community worker at the Nzulo displacement site | © S. Lazzarino / HI
Sarah Tumsifu, 28, comes from Saké. She was born there and until recently lived there with her family and four children, aged between 12 and 17. In February 2024, with her region being torn apart by fighting, Sarah fled with her family to take refuge further south, on the Nzulo site, where she has lived ever since. The crisis in North Kivu has displaced more than 2.7 million people1 like Sarah. The security and health situation in the displacement sites is alarming, with a desperate need for drinking water, shelter, protection and food. Strong mobilisation is now essential to provide assistance to displaced civilians and ensure that their rights are respected.
Alleviating trauma
When I fled Saké, I lost three members of my family. The stress and pain were crushing. When I arrived in Nzulo, I heard that HI had good advice for displaced people. One day, I went to find out more and they allowed me to join their counselling sessions the next day.
“Today is my last session. After seven days of counselling, I feel calmer than when I first arrived. I can see that it's useful, so I want my children to take part too. The psychologist told me that they're starting a new series of sessions tomorrow, so I'll be taking my children.”
I am grateful to HI for this initiative, because I was really traumatised. But today, thanks to this activity, I feel relieved. May God bless the psychologists for the work they do.
Life here is very hard
Life is still very hard on the site. When we arrived, we were given tarpaulins, but they're not good quality and when it rains, the water seeps in. Sometimes we have to stand up all night because the tent is flooded.
“When I come for my psychosocial support session, HI gives me a snack for the session. But I prefer to take it home to share with my children.”
It's very hard. As a mother, I worry a lot about whether my children will have anything to eat. We really need the aid to continue!
HI, in partnership with HI, is deploying mobile clinics in North Kivu to improve access to healthcare and provide medical and psychosocial assistance to people displaced by the conflicts. Between February and April 2024, more than 7,000 people were informed about mental health and 702 people received psychosocial care. Community relays were given training in psychological first aid and active listening. In the CBCA-REGO "Lac Vert" refugee camp, 590 people also received physical and functional rehabilitation care. Finally, during this same period, HI distributed 381 walking sticks and crutches, 900 kits containing essential household items such as cooking utensils, and 168 hygiene kits including soap and sanitary protection.
