Violence in Ituri province forces tens of thousands from their homes

Congolese refugees wait at the reception center in Kyangwali, Uganda, where they spend several days before being transferred to a settlement (aka camp). Between December 2017 and March 2018, over 60,000 refugees arrived to Kyangwali on boats used to cross Lake Albert, after fleeing the conflict in their home province of Ituri, Congo. March 8, 2018. Kyangwali, Hoima province, Uganda. Copyright Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi

MSF236068

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Violence in Ituri province forces tens of thousands from their homes

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Unique Identifier Code / URN MSF236068

Date taken / Date Recorded 08/03/2018 12:00 AM

Country Uganda

Commissioning section MSF-FRANCE

Photographer / videographer / producer Diana Zeyneb Alhindawi

Usage Rights (MSF) External Media, MSF Fundraising, MSF Publications, Social Media

Formal Consent Copy available no

Editor's rating ★★★★★★ (B)

Maximum Size 7952px × 5304px 24.01 MB

Additional Information / Shotlist In December, violence between communities flared up in Ituri province in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It grew in intensity in February and fighting broke out around the area of Djugu. Houses were burnt, people were killed and tens of thousands fled their homes in search of safety.

Some of the displaced made their way south to Bunia in DRC, whilst others travelled north to Mahagi. Many, however, remain in areas as yet inaccessible to aid organisations. In the last couple of weeks over 40,000 Congolese have paid to cross Lake Albert to reach safety in Uganda. It’s there where, on arrival, they have found dire living conditions, with the facilities in place to welcome them are overwhelmed by the number of people.

On 23 February, the health authorities in Uganda confirmed a cholera outbreak affecting the displaced and host communities in Hoima district, in the west of the country, where the new arrivals are hosted. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is working on both sides of the lake, offering medical humanitarian assistance to those in need.