What's the current situation in Tanganyika province?

In the past few months, we've seen an increase in intercommunal violence throughout the region. In Manono health area, fighting erupted again in November, but the situation really deteriorated in December, and a large number of people were admitted to the general referral hospital for surgery. Conflict first broke out in rural areas tens of kilometres from Manono, but gradually spread until it reached the town itself. People have fled the villages affected by the fighting, and many have ended up in the centre of Manono. The security conditions do not allow us to leave the city so it is difficult for us to assess the situation and treat all the wounded.

What are the living conditions like for those who have taken refuge in Manono?

Thousands of people are now living with host families, in public buildings, schools and churches around the town. By the end of December, we had counted 40 buildings occupied by displaced people. Living conditions are very precarious for both the local and the displaced populations. The overcrowding significantly increases the risk of contagious diseases such as diarrhoeal diseases. There's a shortage of latrines and we're in the middle of the rainy season.

The current conflict is also stopping people from moving around freely and going to the fields to grow or harvest their crops. There's less food at the market and prices have shot up. So food insecurity and the risk of contagious diseases are our biggest concerns. We're also worried about the people outside the town. If they can't get to the hospital, many could die, especially children.

How is MSF responding to this crisis?

Since the end of November, MSF has stepped up its support for Manono hospital, where 200 people have already been treated for wounds. The vast majority of patients arrive with cuts and stab wounds from machetes, arrows or axes. At the end of November, we provided training in managing influxes of casualties at Manono general referral hospital and Ankoro hospital. The aim was to improve the skills of the team of doctors and nurses from the Ministry of Health and to set up a care pathway, with identified areas for receiving and treating patients according to the seriousness of their condition.

In December, the hospital's surgical department was overwhelmed – there were insufficient beds, equipment and staff to treat everyone. There were people everywhere, lying on the floor waiting to be treated. The staff worked ceaselessly to tackle the situation. MSF supported the team at Manono hospital by providing doctors, including a surgeon, nurses, nursing assistants and health promoters, as well as hygienists and security guards.

We also erected tents as they ran out of space in the surgical department. We supplied equipment and drugs to treat the injured, including dressing kits, suture materials, antibiotics, painkillers, etc. We also started upgrading the operating theatre so that it has a constant water supply and an efficient sterilisation system. At the height of the crisis in December, 44 MSF staff were supporting the hospital. MSF is also assisting four health centres in the town with paediatric and nutritional care for the under-fives, with a particular focus on treating malaria. And we're starting to build latrines on sites where displaced people gather to ensure minimum hygiene and sanitation standards.