J.B. Russell

Reportage: DR Congo

Few countries have a history of suffering as long as the Democratic Republic of Congo's. Centuries of slave trade, ineffable cruelty and plunder as Belgian King Leopold's personal territoryas well as during colonial rule, the kleptocratic dictatorship of Mabutu Sese Seke and a five-year civil war that became known as Africa's World War have utterly devastated the nation. A vast country the size of Western Europe, Congo has enormous natural resources and potential. Yet there is virtually no infrastructure and the population subsists in a state of abject poverty. Over 1200 people die every day as a direct result of the recent conflict, primarily from preventable causes such as malaria, tuberculosis and malnutrition.

   
Former rebels in a village where internally displaced people have sought refuge from fighting between government forces and Mai Mai militias. Villagers burn the bush around the settlement to prevent rebel groups from using the vegetation as cover for surprise attacks.Kina, Katanga Province, DR CongoPhoto © J.B. Russell
   
     
  
A woman in severe shock caused by pregnancy complications is treated along the roadside in a remote area. Family members were attempting to transport the woman on a bicycle more than 50 kms along dirt tracks to a distant village with a medical post. The vast majority of Congo's population have virtually no access to medical care.Katanga Province, DR Congo.Photo © J.B. Russell
   
  
Villagers wait to cross a river by dugout canoe. Vast and enormously rich in natural resources, Congo has almost no paved roads or infrastructure. The country's river system is the primary means of transportation.Katanga Province, DR Congo.Photo © J.B. Russell
     
  
A group of seven families seek food and refuge. They were taken captive when Mai Mai militias attacked and destroyed their village. The group spent 14 months in the bush as forced laborers before being abandoned as the Mai Mai fled advancing government forces. The region has been severely affected by fighting which has displaced thousands of civilians.Mukubu, Katanga Province, DR Congo.Photo © J.B. Russell
   
  
A woman and her sick child at a Medecins Sans Frontiers mobile clinic. The region has been severely affected by fighting between government forces and Mai Mai militias. Congo's healthcare system has been completely destoyed and few Congolese have access to even basic medical care.Bangwe, Katanga Province, DR Congo.Photo © J.B. Russell
     
  
A man is examined by medical staff at a Medecins Sans Frontieres mobile clinic. There is virtually no health care system outside large cities and few Congolese have access to even basic medical care.Bangwe, Katanga Province, DR Congo.Photo © J.B. Russell
   
Patients at a MSF medical center in a remote village. Fighting and corruption have destroyed the country's healthcare system. Few Congolese have access to even basic health care.Mukubu, Katanga Province, DR Congo.Photo © J.B. Russell
   
Children are screened for malnutrition and malaria during a MSF mobile clinic in a remote village. Over 1200 people die every day in the RD Congo as a direct result of the country's long conflict, primarily from preventable causes such as malaria, tuberculosis and malnutrition.Kintya, Katanga Province, DR Congo.Photo © J.B. Russell
     
  
A woman washes her malnourished child at a MSF medical center in a remote village. There is virtually no health care system outside large cities and few Congolese have access to even basic medical care.Mukubu, Katanga Province, DR Congo.Photo © J.B. Russell
   
A mother looks over her child who is suffering from a respitory infection and malaria in a village medical post in the south eastern province of Katanga. Over 1200 people die everyday in the RD Congo, largely due to preventable diseases such as malaria, malnutrition and tuberculosis, a direct consequence of the country's conflict.Mukanga, Democratic Republic of Congo.Photo © J.B. Russell
   
A father and his malnurished son in the phase one malnutrition tent of a MSF medical center. Over 1200 people die every day in the RD Congo, primarily from preventable causes such as malaria, tuburculosis and malnutrition, as a direct result of the country's long conflict.
Mukubu, Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo © J.B. Russell
     
  
Patients at a Medecins Sans Frontieres medical center in a remote village. The vast majority of Congolese do not have access to even basic medical care.Mukubu, Katanga Province, DR Congo.Photo © J.B. Russell
  
Lanterns are lit at nightfall in a Medecins Sans Frontieres medical center in a remote village. Despite vast natural resources, Congo has virtually no infrastructure, electricity, sanitation or other public services.Mukubu, Katanga Province, DR Congo.Photo © J.B. Russell
   
The children's choir rehearses at the Saint Paul Catholic Church.Mukubu, Katanga Province, RD Congo.Photo © J.B. Russell
     
  
   
  
     
  
   
  
A homeless boy and a sick young man at the decaying Tata Raphael Stadium (where the famous 1974 Mohammed Ali - George Forman "Rumble In The Jungle" fight took place). Some 70 homeless youths live at the sports complex. The boys work at odd jobs during the day and the girls work as prostitutes for between $5 and $15 per customer in order to survive. There are an estimated 30,000 children living in the streets of Kinshasa. Years of dictatorship and conflict have destroyed the social fabric of Congolese society.Kinshasa, DR Congo. 05/07/2006Photo © J.B. Russell
     
  
Solange is homeless. She lives at the decaying Tata Raphael Stadium (where the famous 1974 Mohammed Ali - George Forman "Rumble In The Jungle" fight took place) with some 70 other homeless youths. The boys work at odd jobs during the day and the girls work as prostitutes for between $5 and $15 per customer in order to survive. There are an estimated 30,000 children living in the streets of Kinshasa. Years of dictatorship and conflict have destroyed the social fabric of the country.Kinshasa, DR Congo.Photo © J.B. Russell
   
Young prostitutes at the decaying Tata Raphael Stadium (where the famous 1974 Mohammed Ali - George Forman "Rumble In The Jungle" fight took place). Some 70 homeless youths live at the sports complex. The boys work at odd jobs during the day and the girls work as prostitutes for between $5 and $15 per customer in order to survive. There are an estimated 30,000 children living in the streets of Kinshasa. Years of dictatorship and conflict have destroyed the social fabric of Congolese society.Kinshasa, DR Congo.Photo © J.B. Russell