The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues to face a complex and multifaceted crisis that is often overlooked on the global stage, making it one of the world’s ‘forgotten crises.’ Decades of conflict have left the country with over 8 million internally displaced people. Most of these displacements are driven by violence in eastern provinces like North and South Kivu, where armed groups and intercommunal violence exacerbate instability. The humanitarian needs in the DRC are immense, with over 25 million people requiring assistance. This includes a severe lack of basic services such as food, water, healthcare, and shelter.   

The crisis has deep historical roots, shaped by colonial exploitation, political instability, and ongoing conflicts fueled by control over mineral-rich territories. Despite some international efforts, the scale of suffering remains overwhelming and largely unnoticed compared to other global crises. 

In the hills of Murhesa, South Kivu, medical professionals gathered at Murhesa Medical Centre for the second time for life-saving training on war surgery and emergency care. Organised by the Friends of the David Nott Foundation in the Democratic Republic of Congo who we funded for teaching tools, this mission was more than just a training course—it was a promise of hope. 

“To world leaders and the David Nott Foundation, the Democratic Republic of the Congo urgently needs attention, support, and collaboration in health during this time. Thousands are displaced, facing a security and humanitarian crisis. Training doctors, nurses, midwives, and first-aiders in life-saving skills is more critical than ever.” – Chris Kitumaini, President of the DRC FDNF

A journey into conflict medicine 

The training was practical, intense, and tailored to the realities of war-zone healthcare specifically in the DRC. Over a period of 2 days, 4 doctors trained 20 medical professionals from across the region. Participants learned to assess and prioritise life-threatening injuries under pressure, master techniques for suturing wounds, controlling hemorrhages, and managing injuries caused by gunshots and explosions, and perform CPR in resource-limited settings.  

The highlight for many was the hands-on neurosurgery workshop, where they practiced emergency craniotomy techniques under the guidance of a skilled neurosurgeon.  

Commitment, passion, and motivation 

 The training concluded with the award of certificates to all participants, symbolising their commitment and the skills acquired during these intensive sessions. 

“Driven by the desire to make a positive difference, the David Nott Foundation’s support and donation of equipment has helped me organise a training workshop for Congolese doctors to work in resource-limited settings and save millions of lives.”- Chris Kitumaini, President of the DRC FDNF

As the program concluded, we were inspired by the determination and resilience of every individual involved in the organisation of this training, from our Congolese FDNFs to the surgeons they worked with to deliver the training. Their commitment fuels our drive to continue this work. This is why we do what we do, and we won’t stop. 

Please note that Friends of the David Nott Foundation (FDNF) operate independently and are not training entities of the David Nott Foundation. 

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