Audio By Carbonatix
The non-profit group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) pulled its foreign staff out of an eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo after an armed group tried to enter its compound.
The group is the latest aid agency to withdraw its staff from the Biakato region, after three health workers treating Ebola were killed in an unclaimed attack last week at an accommodation camp in Biakato Mines in Ituri province.
That attack prompted the World Health Organization to withdraw its staff from the area.
MSF said that on Tuesday night a group wielding machetes and sticks broke into the Biakato Health Centre, where it operates an Ebola Treatment Centre. There were no casualties and the group did not enter the Ebola facility, it said.
A separate group with the same weapons then tried but failed to enter the MSF facility in Biakato Mines. The NGO said they threw stones but did not do any damage.
"Due to a deterioration in the security situation, MSF made the difficult decision to withdraw all non-local staff from the Biakato region," MSF said in a statement.
According to local authorities, the attackers from last week's incident are likely to be members of the Mayi-Mayi armed militia group, which is fighting for a share of the country's wealth.
The DRC is undergoing its 10th Ebola epidemic, which is the second-deadliest on record.
An outbreak of the much-feared haemorrhagic virus has killed 2,206 people mainly in North Kivu and neighbouring Ituri, according to the latest official figures.
Insecurity has complicated the epidemic from the outset, compounding resistance within communities to preventive measures, care facilities and safe burials.
On November 4, the authorities said more than 300 attacks on Ebola health workers had been recorded since the start of the year, leaving six dead and 70 wounded, some of them patients.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Alhassan Suhuyini makes Christmas donations to churches within Tamale North Constituency
2 hours -
Meet 81-year-old father of UCC Acting Vice-Chancellor, who recently graduated with an MBA
2 hours -
Did you know that Ken Ofori-Atta’s lawyer, Enayat Qasimi, is the ‘Ken Ofori-Atta of Afghanistan? – Kay Codjoe writes
2 hours -
Kidnap suspect arrested in Tamale as Police rescue victim after four days
3 hours -
Tema Oil Refinery resumes crude refining after years of shutdown
3 hours -
Kojo Antwi thrills fans with regal entry, marathon performance at ‘Antwified’ concert
3 hours -
Ofori Amponsah surprises KiDi at ‘Likor On The Beach’ 2025
4 hours -
Joy FM thanks sponsors, partners and patrons after spectacular 2025 Family Party-in-the-Park
4 hours -
‘Christmas babies’ and their mothers in Volta and Oti regions receive MTN hampers
4 hours -
One dead, another injured after accident at Atwedie
4 hours -
Maggi Waakye Summit draws thousands as Ghana’s biggest waakye festival returns
5 hours -
Western Regional Minister urges Ghanaians to use Christmas to deepen national cohesion  Â
6 hours -
Thousands turn Aburi Gardens into a festive paradise at Joy FM’s Party in the Park
6 hours -
Source of GOLDBOD’s trading funds questioned amid reported $214m loss
6 hours -
Kind Hearted Beings Charity spreads joy during festive season
6 hours
