News
Ebola - August 2026
Dear friends,
The Ebola epidemic continues in eastern Congo. It is evolving in a context
particularly difficult: insecurity linked to armed conflicts, displacement of
populations, mining activities and high population mobility, mistrust
towards health structures, circulation of rumors and misinformation.
These factors complicate case tracking and promote the spread of the virus.
In Idjwi, Kesho Congo, our partner dedicated to providing economic support to midwives, focuses on raising awareness of risks and strengthening community ties.
Together, MMS, Kesho Congo and you, dear friends, we can stem the tide
This epidemic, which has become the largest ever recorded in Congo, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, is the second largest Ebola epidemic in the world, across all Ebola virus species.
Very sincerely,
Clear
"Taking action means preventing hundreds of
"Dead tomorrow"
Idjwi: Women's organizations advocate for the economic empowerment of rural women
In the island territory of Idjwi, in the heart of Lake Kivu, rural women continue to face particularly precarious living conditions. Between persistent poverty, a lack of economic opportunities, and the consequences of the insecurity affecting eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, they struggle to meet the basic needs of their families.
United within several local women's organizations, these women are making an urgent appeal to national and international partners working in the fields of women's rights, rural development and economic empowerment, to strengthen their support for the women's communities of Idjwi.
According to several testimonies gathered on the island, many women travel long distances every day carrying heavy loads of wood, agricultural products, or various goods to provide for their families. “I am a mother of eight children. Some days, I spend the entire day transporting wood or agricultural products to earn barely 2,000 Congolese francs.”
Interview with Dr. Aimé Nkemba 🎙️
Discover how, alongside Dr. Aimé Nkemba, and thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are working to break the cycle of poverty and support the most vulnerable women's associations.
In this interview, we review the results of our actions and our ambitions for 2025! 🌟
We highlight the significant progress made thanks to the collaboration of our midwives and the associations they belong to. With our partner, we share how the values upheld by MMS align perfectly with our local partner's ideal of fighting poverty on Idjwi Island. 🤝
February 5, 2025 - 4-minute read
Humanitarian Emergency in Idjwi: Critical Situation of Displaced Persons
Since the start of the violence in North Kivu province and the Kahele territory in South Kivu, a massive influx of displaced people has sought refuge on Idjwi Island. Local authorities and community leaders estimate that 29,402 people have already arrived.
Currently, 11 sites have been set up to accommodate these displaced people, spread across 5 health zones. However, many of them are staying with host families in precarious conditions. The humanitarian needs are enormous, affecting all aspects of life, from health to education, particularly for young people in their final year of secondary school.
Inventory of Fixtures
To date, no significant assistance has been provided to these displaced people, who live in a state of extreme vulnerability. The only supplies received consist of a few water purification tablets and oral rehydration sachets provided by the central office of the health zone, as well as free healthcare at health centers.
Points essentiels de la situation :
Inadequate shelter: No adequate structures have been put in place to house displaced people. The majority spend their nights outdoors, exposed to the elements, particularly during this rainy season. This leads to overcrowding in places such as classroom hallways or churches, increasing the risk of sexual violence. Respiratory illnesses are also prevalent.
Food insecurity: The lack of food assistance endangers children, pregnant women and the elderly, exposing them to an increasing risk of famine and a deterioration of their nutritional status.
Alarming sanitary conditions: No latrine system has been established, except for a hole dug by the Red Cross, which does not meet hygiene standards. Hygiene conditions are catastrophic, exacerbated by the lack of access to drinking water. The two available water points near the lake do not provide treated water, and many displaced people lack containers to store it.
Women's hygiene: The menstrual hygiene situation for women and girls is disastrous. Testimonies report mothers using pieces of clothing as sanitary protection, exposing them to infections due to the lack of water and soap.
Impact on education: Students, especially those in their final year, are in the middle of exams, which further complicates their situation.
Limited medical mobility: The ambulance for transporting the sick and pregnant women is running out of fuel, making it difficult to access necessary care.
Despite these challenges, some actions have been taken:
A census of displaced persons and coordination meetings were carried out across the entire health zone to better assess needs and seek possible solutions.
A 5000-litre tank has been made available at the Bunyakiri centre, but transport remains a problem.
Sanitary supplies, such as boxes of Aqua Tabs and oral rehydration sachets, were distributed at some sites.
Conclusion
The situation in Idjwi requires immediate and coordinated intervention from humanitarian actors to meet the urgent needs of displaced people. Food assistance, access to clean water, adequate shelter, and healthcare must be prioritized to mitigate this humanitarian crisis.
MMS is in regular contact with Dr. Nkemba, director of the 41 existing health facilities in Idjwi. Thanks to the generosity of several MMS supporters, 6,500 euros have already been sent to the area so that community health workers can address emergencies, primarily involving pregnant women and children.
A huge thank you!
Let's continue this wave of generosity, make a donation!
A little cookie
for a big impact
MMS, always listening to local partners!
Under the impetus of the King Baudouin Foundation , a collaboration was established between MMS ,KeshoCongo ,and Afia Shuleni .
"A small cookie for a big impact" campaign:
In South Kivu, one of the major challenges is the fight against chronic malnutrition, which affects one in two children. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are not spared either.
Faced with this alarming problem, the KeshoCongo association, under the leadership of Dr. Adolphe Nyakasane, has been committed since 2015 to fighting malnutrition by using local resources to produce protein and energy biscuits. These products are intended for children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers, and are distributed through maternity wards, health centers, and schools.
With a direct impact on approximately 40,000 children, 7,000 pregnant women and 5,000 breastfeeding women each year, their work is a vital response to infant mortality and the devastating consequences of malnutrition for many families in Kivu.
1000km by bike
A challenge to celebrate Life!
To thank our supporters and to support mothers, women, and the many midwives, I've decided to take on the challenge of cycling 1000 km. I'm setting off this Thursday, June 13th.
Update June 27: She did it! Claire has arrived in Berlin after about two weeks of traveling by bicycle. Thank you all for your support and generosity, and congratulations to her!
Thanks to you we can finance new training for about fifteen midwives in Kivu.
"What really matters is the desire to bring to completion a project that is dear to my heart, and a desire to share and experience emotion!"
With your continued support, we can train healthcare staff, create suitable infrastructure, and raise awareness in local communities.
Challenge accepted, I'm in!
- Claire, president of Mothers and Midwives Support.
Journalists from the KALINGA Community and Association Radio in Idjwi participated in a three-day training course from May 25 to 28, 2024 on community-based nutrition (CBN), infant and young child feeding (IYCF), the protocol for the management of acute malnutrition (IMCM) and essential family practices (EFP).
This training, organised by the TPO DRC Organisation, aimed to equip journalists with the techniques of producing and broadcasting programs and community awareness spots on these crucial topics.
Combating chronic malnutrition
Idris ZAGABE, training facilitator and Nutrition Officer for TPO DRC in the Idjwi health zone, stressed the importance of the role that journalists will play in the fight against chronic malnutrition, a scourge that affects many children in the province of South Kivu.
“These journalists, whose capacities TPO DRC has just strengthened, will play a very important role in the production and dissemination of content on NAC,” he said. “We have equipped them with knowledge about the first 1,000 days of a child’s life and nutritional interventions for each period from conception to 24 months or 2 years.”
The training participants expressed their commitment to using the knowledge gained to produce and disseminate effective awareness messages to the community.
“At the end of this training, we will commit to effectively disseminating awareness messages about community-based nutrition,” said Albert CINYABUGUMA, one of the participants. “We will specifically discuss nutrition interventions during the first 1,000 days of a child’s life and the role that community health workers (CHWs) should play in villages.”
A multi-sectoral health program
This training is part of the multisectoral nutrition and health program (PMNS), Community-based Nutrition component, implemented by the CARITAS CONGO Asbl – TPO DRC and CHWID group, and financed by the World Bank via the UG-PDSS.
By raising awareness in the community about good nutritional practices, the journalists of Idjwi will be able to contribute to reducing chronic malnutrition and improving the health of children in their region.
South Kivu: Journalists from the Kalinga Community Radio in Idjwi equipped to fight malnutrition
Tornado in Idjwi
a situation
emergency
Dear Friends,
You have surely heard about the terrible mudslides that have occurred in recent weeks in the South Kivu region.
When a tornado also hits, especially on Idjwi Island in Lake Kivu, the damage can be significant. Twelve recently installed solar panels were torn from the roof of the Bunyakiri maternity hospital, leaving it without electricity. Our engineer plans to install new solar panels, this time on the ground, on a concrete base; these will be protected from theft by a metal cage.
We want to ensure that the maternity ward can continue to safely welcome pregnant women and their newborns.
Your generosity can make a difference and help bring back light!
In February, MMS President Claire Thibaut went on a mission to Idjwi, in South Kivu, where she observed significant progress and the launch of new initiatives.
Among the notable achievements, the construction of a maternity ward in Bunyakiri has had a major impact, sparking interest from the authorities in creating a hospital complex and a sexual and reproductive health facility. The maternity ward, operational for three months, has already partially met the needs of the local population.
MMS has learned to be flexible and to work closely with authorities and residents to successfully complete its projects. The next step is electrification, with only 1% of households currently connected to the electricity grid.
An appeal for solidarity has been launched to light up 40 houses near the hospital complex.
Each donation will allow for the installation of batteries, cables, metal poles and the training of health workers.
Furthermore, the Solidarity Mothers Group in Bunyakiri is a source of inspiration. These women need financial support to undertake market gardening, livestock farming, and small business activities. Collaboration with the community and local authorities remains central to MMS's approach.
However, the mission is far from over. The situation in North Kivu is worrying and is impacting the population of Idjwi. It is crucial to provide support to the people affected by this crisis. Every action counts in offering new opportunities to these women and ensuring a brighter future for those who need it.
