Since the worsening of the displacement crisis in North Kivu in late August 2007, UNHCR has sent a seven member strong emergency team and launched a camp coordination and camp management (CCCM) coordination group. IDP assistance efforts have included building two new camp sites, IDP registration, distribution of blankets, plastic sheets, jerry cans, soap, firewood and other items. Daily camp management with UN and NGO partners is taking place in the Mugunga and Rutshuru axis.

Protection monitoring to identify human rights abuses and other problems of IDPs and populations at risk across North Kivu is ongoing since 2006.

Working with partners

Together with the DRC Government authorities, in particular the National Commission for Refugees (CNR), UNHCR manages and implements humanitarian assistance and protection for refugees and internally displaced persons. Within the collaborative IDPs cluster approach, support is delivered jointly with MONUC, WFP, UNICEF, OCHA, UNDP and the FAO, among other agencies. UNHCR leads with MONUC the Protection cluster and with UNDP the Reintegration and Community Recovery cluster. All UNHCR programmes are integrated in the DRC Action Plan 2008.

In the field, assistance is delivered together with 19 implementing partners: AIDES, ERUKIN, NRC, ARCHE DE L'ALLIANCE, OXFAM- QUEBEC, ASADHO, WWI, GTZ, CNR, PLD, AHA, CARITAS UVIRA, INTERNARTIONAL MEDICAL CORPS, CARITAS KALEMIE, GOUVERNORAT DU NORD KIVU, ADSSE/BUKAVU, VSF, Mercy, SLAO.

UNHCR Presence and Monitoring

1 Branch office in Kinshasa, 2 sub-offices (Moba and Uvira), 9 field offices (Baraka, Bukavu, Bunia, Buburu, Dongo, Goma, Kalemie, Lubumbashi and Pweto), 3 antennas (Beni, Kisangani and Rutshuru).

UNHCR staff deliver assistance and monitor the conditions in refugee camps and returnee areas.