The possibilities and difficulties of CIMIC – a case study from the DRC

Abstract

A Hungarian NGO, the African-Hungarian Union conducts successful humanitarian operations in the DRC in North Kivu. This paper highlights the actual events in the region as well as the fruitful cooperation of the NGO and the regional UN forces. The initiative is exemplary since there are no other mobile clinic is available in the region and the application of CIMIC principles provide some lessons, too. There were four medical missions in 2009, one month long each that provide ample information to work with. I point out some local and international interests that are against the stabilization of the area and together with widespread corruption and lack of respect for human values make the CIMIC operation arduous.