The civil war in the Congo is exacerbating a cholera outbreak. The fighting is causing patients to flee and possibly infect other people and it is affecting water supplies and sanitation–all contributing to the spread of the deadly disease.
Context of the story:
Why is this important? The civil war in the Congo, and its recent escalation, are directly killing many people. War, however, has other lasting effects–and one of them can be the spread of disease. Cholera is a horrible disease that can kill within 18 hours of the first symptoms. It is very easy to prevent: provide clean water and good sanitation.
Who is involved? Doctors without Borders is treating the sick.
Where is this happening? In the refugee camps around Goma, Congo, which is in eastern Congo, near Rwanda in central Africa.
What can you do? Contribute to Doctors without Borders and other humanitarian groups. Encourage non-violent conflict resolution. Participate in cultural exchanges. Study biology and medicine to help fight diseases. Study engineering to help create low-cost water treatment and sanitation systems. Support environmental legislation to protect water sources from pollution.
