GLOBAL medical humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says the lack of respect for humanitarian work by warring parties embroiled in a violent war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) led to the killing of its worker Jerry Muhindo Kavali.

He died Tuesday from the gunshot wound he suffered while at the MSF base in Masisi town, North Kivu, during clashes between the VDP/Wazalendo and the M23/AFC on February 20.

His colleagues managed to transfer him to Goma the following day for treatment in a hospital better equipped to deal with the seriousness of his injuries and to bring him closer to his family. This is the same area where South Africa lost 14 of its soldiers while an unconfirmed number of them were wounded.

The Masisi General Reference Hospital has been supported by MSF for more than ten years. North Kivu, DRC, August 2020.

“Unfortunately, the efforts of the hospital team were not enough to save him. We stand by his family at this difficult time and send our deepest condolences to all his loved ones and colleagues in Masisi.

“Aged 49, Jerry was a much-loved colleague. He was known for his constant smile, his dedication, his kindness and his unwavering commitment to MSF. Jerry has been with us since 2014. The whole MSF family is in mourning today. We also feel anger, as his tragic death comes against a backdrop of increasing violence in and around health and humanitarian facilities in eastern DRC. We reiterate our strongest condemnation of the lack of respect for humanitarian work,” MSF said in a statement.

“To all the warring parties, we remind you once again: even war has rules.

“At the time of writing, the MSF base and Masisi hospital are still full of families who have come there to seek shelter from the fighting, as well as patients who have been treated, many of them women and children who have fallen victim to the violence of the past few days,” the organisation said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) confirmed yesterday the critically injured soldiers who needed urgent medical attention have been successfully repatriated from the DRC and will receive high level medical care.

“The remainder are scheduled to arrive in South Africa during the course of the week.

“The SANDF in coordination with other relevant roleplayers has worked tirelessly to ensure the safe return of our wounded members. We urge the public to respect and afford privacy to the injured members and their families during the healing process,” said SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini.

Cape Times