New York, Aug. 12 -- The health system in South Kivu in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is near total collapse because of prolonged conflict.

In May, Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) launched a two-month emergency intervention in the Katana and Kalehe areas, providing free, lifesaving care to more than 2,480 people, and donating significant quantities of medical supplies to health facilities in these areas of South Kivu to help meet people's needs.

A March assessment by MSF revealed the scale of the crisis following violent clashes in the region at the start of the year: Of 24 health facilities in Katana and Kalehe, 15 had to close, 10 were damaged, and 16 looted. In response, MSF supported the general reference...