Fears are escalating for the health of over 100,000 people who were forced to leave their homes as a result of fighting between the Congolese army and rebel troops loyal to General Laurent Nkunda.  

Fighting intensified on Thursday as General Nkunda took over a key army base in North Kivu, forcing thousands to flee out of the area.  

As fighting deteriorates, aid agencies are struggling to get access to the worst- affected areas leaving people to suffer in temporary accommodation with limited clean water, food or health care.  

With high population movement and limited medical help, Merlin is concerned about an increase in preventable diseases such as malaria, cholera and measles.  

Merlin has been running mobile health clinics in the area since 1997, however since the upsurge in fighting, teams have been unable to reach some of the more remote towns.

Alice Gilbert, Merlin Project Officer, based in Rutshuru said:
“ During a conflict, more people die from disease than weapons of war. Cramped conditions, a lack of clean water and limited drugs mean that people are dying unessesarily from preventable disease.

48,000 people arrived in Rutshuru yesterday â€" all fleeing from the fighting. Most are taken in by residents â€" often sleeping on the floor in cramped conditions. It’s humbling to watch people shelter strangers â€" sharing what little they have.”

The situation changes rapidly. We are helping most people however intense fighting restricts access to some of the community. A peaceful resolution is vital if we are to stop innocent people dying. “   

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]