Bujumbura, 15 mars 2013 – A la fin du mois de janvier, le Service Jésuite des Réfugié a fermé ses projets au Ruanda après avoir accompagné, pendant dix-sept ans, les quelque 40.000 réfugiés originaires de la République Démocratique du Congo, mettant ainsi un terme à l'un des plus anciens projets du JRS dans le monde.

Life in a displaced persons camp is not easy. Even for the strongest of the strong, surviving in an insecure and inhospitable camp is both physically and emotionally grueling. But for the elderly, disabled, or ill, the demands of camp life can seem insurmountable.

These individuals – especially those without family members to support them – are often the most vulnerable, and their needs are often overlooked.

10 December 2012

By Sarah Marzouk

International HelpAge is extremely concerned about the continuing violence and humanitarian crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Reports of violence, looting and killings continue, including in Mugunga III internally displaced persons (IDP) camp, in North Kivu province, which hosts some 30,000 people.

Elson Malamu, HelpAge's Programme Manager in DRC said: "The lack of humanitarian access continues to be a major constraint due to the insecurity caused by armed groups.

BUKAVU, DR Congo, Nov 26 2012 (IPS) - Humanitarian agencies working in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo have been overwhelmed following a massive displacement triggered by fighting between the Congolese army (FARDC) and rebel movement M23 in North Kivu.

“The situation is truly precarious. There is no medicine, no food. Children could die. People are spending the night outside, each one beside their baggage, and it is very cold,” says Roger Manegabe, head of a family who managed to reach Bukavu from North Kivu.

Masisi (North Kivu), Rome, 14 November 2012 – Since last August, communities living in Masisi district in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have been displaced on a daily basis and at least 18 have been murdered, caught between tit-for-tat attacks by opposing rebel groups. Unless the peacekeeping forces (MONUSCO) and the Congolese army urgently intervene to protect the civilian population, more innocent lives will be lost.

MUGUNGA III, Democratic Republic of the Congo, November 7 (UNHCR) – Paul Mirurumu has led a happy, long and relatively successful life in the heart of Africa, but in his twilight years he has experienced only devastating personal loss and suffering. Today, the 92-year-old Congolese is alone, friendless and marooned in a camp for the internally displaced, convinced that he will never again see his home village in North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

NAIROBI, 25 July 2012 (IRIN) - Conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where M23 rebels and other armed groups are fighting government forces, is dangerously undermining efforts to combat a cholera outbreak.

There has been “a sharp increase in the number of cholera cases in the armed conflict area of North Kivu” Province, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement.

La cité de Bunangana, située à une centaine de kilomètres de Rutshuru-centre à la frontière avec l’Ouganda, est passé sous le contrôle des rebelles du Mouvement du 23 mars (M23) depuis le jeudi 5 juillet dans la soirée. Selon un officier militaire dans la région, les Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo (FARDC) ont abandonné cette localité tard dans la soirée après des violents combats qui les ont opposées aux rebelles.

Kibuye, 27 June 2012 – Despite the numerous daily difficulties and challenges of living in a refugee camp, a group of refugees in Rwanda have decided to dedicate their free time to voluntary activities to help those in most need.

In Kiziba camp in western Rwanda, this group is dedicated to the cultivation of vegetables and greens, which are then donated to those in the most vulnerable circumstances, in two community gardens established by the Jesuit Refugee Service.