On 5 December, some 10,000 healthcare activists took to the streets in six provinces across the country for a major clean-up campaign.
Taking collective action against an outbreak of disease
Mamie Tshibola, who works with our partner organisation Étoile du Sud in Kinshasa, explains: “This initiative aims to raise awareness amongst the public – but above all amongst the local authorities – of how important it is for everyone’s health to have clean streets. Rubbish strewn everywhere, blocked drains, contaminated soil – all of this creates breeding grounds for all sorts of diseases. Puddles of stagnant water on unpaved or poorly maintained paths attract mosquitoes that spread malaria and other infectious diseases. Every year, this claims many lives.”
Neighbourhood leaders aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves
Volunteers from health committees and youth groups have set a good example, including in Goma, Kindu, Bukavu, Butembo, Kisangani, Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. Mamie Tshibola: “We went round the streets cleaning them up and went door-to-door to inform people. To draw the attention of the local authorities, we involved the street leaders so that, through them, we could reach the neighbourhood leaders and mayors. This is important because it is the authorities” responsibility to ensure public cleanliness. In the meantime, we have taken matters into our own hands to show that this is necessary.”
A successful initiative
- 9,595 volunteers (including 3,294 women) took part
- 108 local and provincial authorities were involved
- 950 people have joined Mondas, the national movement for the right to healthcare
