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Direct Assistance to Vulnerable Migrants Expelled from Congo-Brazzaville - Flash Appeal

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This Flash Appeal launched by the International Organization for Migrations (IOM) focuses on providing assistance to the migration crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through interventions mitigating the humanitarian crisis related to forced migration. The project will focus on assisting directly vulnerable migrants massively expelled from Congo-Brazzaville and in urgent need of direct assistance.
Project Rationale Since the beginning of April 2014, over 80,000 Congolese from the DRC have been reported to be expelled from neighboring Congo-Brazzaville.

These expulsions started as a result of a security operation by the Brazzaville police targeting irregular migrants, including members of the criminal DRC gang members, the “Kuluna”. Six months ago, some Kuluna members had fled across the river to Brazzaville to escape the “Likofi” operation, an operation conducted by the Kinshasa police aiming to reduce street violence by arresting these youths.
Unfortunately, the situation quickly escalated to include any foreigner, specifically Congolese from the DRC.

Since April 26, 2014, it is reported that approximately 5,000 returnees are arriving every day at the Kinshasa port. Many have been forced to leave behind their homes and other possessions.
Some families have been separated, especially those coming from a mixed marriage between people from the two Congos.

These forced returns have been accompanied by alleged human rights violations such as sexual and gender-based violence (rape), physical abuse (torture and beatings), arbitrary detention as well as robbery. Many of the forced returnees also report that they were arrested and detained in Congo-Brazzaville prior to their expulsion. They had no access to health care, potable water or sanitation facilities in detention centres as well as police stations.

Consequently, returnees arrive in Kinshasa in poor physical conditions and emotionally distressed. They require food and water, and access to emergency health care. There are unaccompanied minors among the returnees who need special protection and family reunification assistance. Other persons with special protection needs also require specific targeted assistance.

The influx of nationals expelled from Congo- Brazzaville has prompted the DRC government to establish a reception centre at the port. Returnees are then transferred to a transit site, where they can obtain further assistance.

In general, most deportees are greeted and assisted by their families in Kinshasa. However, those who do not have families in Kinshasa and who originate from the provinces of Equateur, Bas-Congo, Bandundu and, to a lesser extent, Katanga, Kivu and Orientale, are waiting for help at the transit site. It was estimated by the Ministry of Social and Humanitarian Affairs that this number represents about 3,000 people.