Medair remains the only active international NGO on-the-ground in Dungu Territory, with staff providing emergency health care and free medicine for IDPs, as the crisis escalates daily.

On 26 September, Jean de Dieu Mopanga, a Medair health coordinator, drove for three days from Isiro to Dungu in a 4x4 loaded with 450 kilograms of essential medicines. Four of those five medicine kits have now been distributed to health centres treating conflict-affected IDPs, with the fifth medicine kit in high demand and soon to be distributed as well. Medair supervisors report that at least five more health centres will need medical support, and planning is underway to provide further delivery of medicines.

The scene in Dungu continues to be unstable and chaotic, as thousands flee from LRA attacks, but find themselves with nowhere to go. Some IDPs have started returning to the village Limay, which is about 25 kilometres from Dungu city, because they have not received much assistance, and all their possessions were left behind.

Medair is providing medical care for the displaced, but so far there has been no distribution of food items or non-food items. At the moment, Medair is the only active NGO operating on-site to secure the situation of the IDPs.

Reports of violence abound. "Many people are traumatised because of the violent and aggressive incidents committed by the LRA," said a Medair health supervisor in Dungu. "People have seen their wives and daughters abused and raped, their family members and neighbors injured or killed."

Dr. Eugène Kumbodimo, the doctor responsible for the health district, returned from a visit to Dungu and his reports contained similar accounts of aggression. He saw nine young women who had been raped in Bangadi and four in Dungu. Dr. Eugène also confirmed that residents of Kana, Napopo, and Limolo have started defending themselves against attacks.

As conflict continues to engulf the region, Medair's decade-long experience in northeast DRC helps it to maintain a strong and active presence, and provide care to those who need it most. Other agencies and Congolese officials are taking notice of Medair's work in the conflict zone, and expressing their enthusiasm and gratitude.

In particular, OCHA has been very appreciative of Medair's work in Dungu, and is now strongly recommending that the organisation expand its work to become a larger project in 2009 in two affected health zones. Similarly, the District Commissioner of Haut-Uélé expressed his deepest gratitude this week to Medair and its tireless staff.

"During this difficult time when the LRA is intensifying attacks in Dungu, Medair was the first NGO that reacted to our appeal for help," said District Commissioner Kyonie Ngoie. "Medair sent important humanitarian assistance by providing medical care for our battered brothers and sisters. The authorities of the district would like to see Medair continuing their intervention with essential medicines and other support to assist this displaced population [in] a very difficult period."

Since 1998, the International Rescue Committee estimates that an astonishing 5.4 million people have died in DRC from war-related causes, particularly from hunger and disease. For 11 years, Medair has provided emergency relief and rehabilitation in the country for millions of suffering people, and has been called, "the most respected organisation in the entire region." Now, with violent conflict tragically escalating once again, Medair applies its expertise from over a decade of experience to bring urgent life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable of DRC.

Medair brings life-saving relief and rehabilitation in disasters, conflict areas, and other crises by working alongside the most vulnerable. Its internationally recruited staff are motivated by their Christian faith to care for people in need, providing practical and compassionate support, regardless of race, religion, or politics. Founded in 1989, Medair has an unwavering commitment to bring hope to the world's most vulnerable.