DRC: Work continues despite violence

IMA World Health (IMA) is helping to address the healthcare crisis caused by recent violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of its ongoing commitment to help the developing nation.

Recently IMA helped supply one of our partners in the DRC city of Goma with urgently needed orthopedic and surgical supplies to treat those injured in the fighting.

There are reports of upwards of 300,000 displaced persons in DRC. Due to a lack of medical supplies, hospitals and clinics remain ill-equipped to handle the added strain, and have appealed for further help to meet the demands of those affected by the violence.

Some aid and relief organizations have been forced to suspend operations in the DRC due to the fighting. However, IMA has affirmed and bolstered its dedication to the DRC. "People in the DRC need our
help now more than ever," said Paul Derstine, President. "Our commitment to the DRC has never been stronger."

While there are security concerns and communication problems, IMA has been able to maintain contact with all our partner institutions. "Our long-term presence in and partnerships throughout the DRC have helped
make it possible for us to maintain operations there," said William Clemmer, M.D., IMA's Country Representative in the DRC. "IMA's work is carried out in close collaboration with Congolese nationals, providing IMA with a unique and deeply entrenched societal presence in the country."

Much of IMA's work in the DRC is carried out in partnership with Eglise du Christ au Congo (ECC) (Church of Christ in Congo) through a partnership framework known as "The SANRU (rural health) Program," funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, the World Bank, UNICEF and others.