Hope amid the violence in Congo

The lush greenery and hills of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are once again the scene for horrific violence Photograph: Robin Hammond/Robin Hammond

Last week soldiers walked into Safari Muhindo's house and hacked to death his wife and four children with machetes. He holds a photo of himself with two of his sons. He fled to Goma, North Kivu Photograph: Robin Hammond/Robin Hammond

Five-year-old Kakogbwa (left) and four-year-old Ngabire (right) have lost their parents in the most recent conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo Photograph: Robin Hammond/Robin Hammond

Nyanzira Vitwaiki, 14, whose hut was destroyed by rebel forces (CNDP) at the Nyabirehe Camp in North Kivu Photograph: Robin Hammond/Robin Hammond

A camp for internally displaced people has sprung up around the UN camp in Rutshuru. People gather here hoping it will protect them from attack Photograph: Robin Hammond/Robin Hammond

A small child in the camp for internally displaced people in Rutshuru Photograph: Robin Hammond/Robin Hammond

Alexi and his family (foreground), have opened up their home to families made homeless by recent violence in Rutshuru, North Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Photograph: Robin Hammond/Robin Hammond

Goma, North Kivu: Five-year-old Crystal who lost her parents when fleeing from soldiers Photograph: Robin Hammond/Robin Hammond

Isabelle Batunkuka, 80, was displaced from an internally displaced people camp in Kibumba by fighting Photograph: Robin Hammond/Robin Hammond

Jonas Pandase, 30, his children Diana, six, and Isaac, four, (foreground), have opened up their home to a family fleeing violence in Kiwanja, North Kivu Photograph: Robin Hammond/Robin Hammond

Displaced children and adults in Goma Photograph: Robin Hammond/Robin Hammond

Quartier Katoyi in Goma where many internally displaced people have found refuge Photograph: Robin Hammond/Robin Hammond

Displaced people are taken for medical treatment provided by the Merlin aid programme in Goma Photograph: Robin Hammond/Robin Hammond

Jorime Kavira, 30, breast feeds seven-month-old twins Jyress (right) and Kataliko (left) at Buturanda Health Centre, Rutshuru, North Kivu. The centre is supported by Merlin Photograph: Robin Hammond/Robin Hammond

Sifa Bwiko, nine, from Berunga, has had abdominal pains for two days, diarrhoea, and worms. Her mother Pauline Nyirakabanza (left) has two other children ill with malaria. She was previously unable to afford to bring her children to the health centre but Merlin is now providing treatment and medicines for free Photograph: Robin Hammond/Robin Hammond

Katale health centre is run by the local authorities and Merlin has supported it by providing drugs and staff. There is a small consultation room and a pharmacy, and the staff there see 60 patients a day Photograph: Robin Hammond/Robin Hammond

Nurse Violette Kahavo sorts drugs at Katale Health Centre. 'Before I thought I was doing a useless job. I was diagnosing people but they were unable to afford the treatment' - the health centre has recently stopped charging for the drugs it administers Photograph: Robin Hammond/Robin Hammond