Condition Critical: Tragedy in the Congo

Of all the places Tintin visited, the one that has faired worst is the Congo, now the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Ever since the 1994 genocide in neighboring Rwanda, the DRC has been turmoil, facing invasion and civil war. As ever in these situations, it is the ordinary people who suffer the most.

© Dominic Nahr / Oeil Public – October 2008. People carrying their belongings as they flee one of the refugee camps due to fighting.

The DRC is a huge country with a population of over 65 million, about the same as the UK. It has substantial mineral deposits and has fertile land but it is a victim of its brutal colonial past, of its geography and its troubled neighbors. Despite repeated international efforts, the civil war continues and millions are suffering, particularly in the eastern part of the country.

But there is hope.

© Ryo Kameyama – May 2008, Kisangani. A child receiving treatment at the MSF mobile clinic in Kitchanga.

Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) is providing basic medical care and vaccination programs. They are also highlighting the ongoing tragedy in a campaign called Condition Critical.

With wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is easy to forget the plight of a troubled African country. You can help by raising awareness of this terrible situation. Email your friends about Condition Critical, update your Facebook status or tweet about the amazing work Médecins Sans Frontières are doing in this forgotten conflict.

Don’t let the deaths and suffering of millions of people go unnoticed.