27 March 2019
On 27 March, the Luxembourg Red Cross signed a statement of purpose with Dr. Denis Mukwege, affirming its commitment to actively support the development of the Panzi hospital in Bukavu.
For more than 20 years, Denis Mukwege has been dedicating his life to treating women who suffered from sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). But today the hospital has difficulties to cope with all the needs of the survivors of sexual violence.
The Luxembourg Red Cross is committed to support the extension and the modernisation of the hospital infrastructures, including with the development of a Master Plan. Marc Crochet, Deputy General Director, explains: “The international humanitarian activities of the Red Cross Luxembourg have contributed to strengthen our expertise in Shelter solutions. For 15 years, we have supported the “Kalembe Lembe” paediatric hospital in Kinshasa, in DRC. In Ukraine, we contributed to rebuild several hospitals. In Africa, we focus on shelter and housing programs.“
Without a working health system, people cannot be treated. Without a safe accommodation, people lives are in danger. Both are important for the survivors of sexual violence, who need to feel safe before looking at the future with confidence. The Luxembourg Red Cross supports the amelioration of care conditions at the Panzi Hospital. You can help us by making a donation for this project (CCPL LU52 1111 0000 1111 0000 – mention : „Projet Hôpital Panzi“).
A world-renowned gynecologist, the Doctor Denis Mukwege received numerous awards for his activism and his efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict, including the 2014 Sakharov Prize of the European Parliament and the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize.