Attachments
U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR DEMOCRACY, CONFLICT, AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE (DCHA)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
Note: The last fact sheet was dated February 18, 2009.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
- According to U.N. reports, nearly all of the approximately 5,000 Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) troops withdrew from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between February 25 and 26, marking the conclusion of joint Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and RDF operations launched on January 20 to disband the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR).
- During the week of March 1, representatives of the Government of the DRC (GDRC) and the National Congress of the Defense of the People (CNDP) are scheduled to resume U.N.-mediated talks in Nairobi, Kenya, according to international media reports. A GDRC spokesman indicated the final peace accord would likely include other armed groups, in an expansion of the preliminary January 16 peace accord between the CNDP and the GDRC.
- Between February 28 and March 1, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited eastern DRC to meet with U.N. Mission in the DRC (MONUC) officials and local government representatives. The U.N. Secretary-General called for greater cooperation between MONUC and FARDC forces to implement an expansion of joint operations against the
FDLR and ensure civilian protection in North Kivu and Orientale provinces.
- USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team (USAID/DART) staff based in Goma continue to facilitate coordination and information-sharing among U.N. and relief agencies, monitor population movements, assess humanitarianconditions, and work with implementing partners to address the needs of conflict-affected populations.
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NUMBERS AT A GLANCE
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SOURCE
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| North Kivu IDPs(1) since August 2008 |
300,000
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OCHA(2) - January
2009
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| Total North Kivu IDPs |
809,559
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OCHA - January
2009
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| Orientale Province IDPs since September 2008 |
150,000
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UNHCR(3) - January
2009
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| Congolese Refugees since August 2008 |
30,000
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UNHCR - December
2008
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| Total Congolese Refugees |
340,000
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UNHCR - December
2008
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FY 2009 HUMANITARIAN FUNDING PROVIDED TO DATE
USAID/OFDA Assistance to DRC: $13,469,123
USAID/FFP(4) Assistance to DRC: $49,702,200
State/PRM(5) Assistance to DRC: $13,648,622
Total USAID and State Assistance to DRC: $76,819,942
CURRENT SITUATION
- In recent weeks, improved security in areas of North Kivu Province, former Governor of North Kivu Provinceinitiated transport for the voluntary return of Goma-area IDPs, and targeted humanitarian assistance in areas of origin have facilitated accelerated IDP returns in predominantly Rutshuru Territory, as well as other parts of North Kivu Province. However, USAID/DART staff note that insecurity resulting from ongoing FARDC operations against FDLR forces continues to impede returns and result in new population displacement in some areas of Lubero, Masisi, and Walikale territories.
- U.N. officials note potential civilian protection concerns as the FARDC extends planned operations against FDLR troops into South Kivu Province. In addition, civilians residing in formerly RDF-held territory in North Kivu Province remain vulnerable to the return of FDLR forces and associated insecurity, according to U.N. and USAID/DART staff. MONUC has announced plans to support FARDC operations against the FDLR in the coming weeks, in addition to enhancing civilian protection efforts.
- OCHA has reported five attacks against non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Masisi Territory in recent weeks, significantly reducing humanitarian access to vulnerable populations. Since mid-February, OCHA has noted repeated attacks against NGO vehicles along the border axis between Mweso, Masisi Territory, and Kitchanga, Rutshuru Territory. In addition, on February 27, the U.N. reported that MONUC escorts for U.N. vehicles traveling along the axes from Kiwanja, Rutshuru Territory, northwest to Lubero, Lubero Territory, and northeast to Ishasha, Rutshuru Territory, are required due to insecurity associated with FDLR civilian attacks and clashes with the FARDC.
Displacement in North Kivu Province
- New population displacement and limited IDP returns continue in areas associated with ongoing FARDC operations against FDLR forces in North Kivu Province, while relief agencies report accelerated IDP returns to areas of origin where security has significantly improved in recent weeks.
- Although the majority of IDPs have returned unassisted, USAID/DART staff note that between February 17 and 25, trucks organized by the former North Kivu governor transported displaced persons residing in Goma-area IDP sites and public spaces to areas of origin in Rutshuru Territory. In addition, OCHA reported that approximately 1,000 IDPs had returned to areas of origin in southern Rutshuru Territory from Mugunga III camp as of February 25.
- Results from a February 24 to 27 joint U.N. and NGO assessment along the Nyamitabe-Muheto axis in Masisi Territory indicated the recent onset of spontaneous returns of populations previously displaced by the October 2007 clashes between Mai-Mai militia group Patriotes Resistants Congolais (PARECO) and CNDP forces. The assessment team attributes the returns to progress in the peace process and armed force integration efforts, as well as disruptions to humanitarian services at IDP camps in Masisi Terriotry due to insecurity.
- FARDC operations against FDLR forces, continued perceptions of insecurity associated with CNDP presence, and limited humanitarian access to areas of origin continue to impede widespread population returns to areas of Masisi, Walikale, and southern Lubero territories. According to USAID/DART staff, only limited returns from Goma to central Masisi have occurred to date, with recent returns in the territory concentrated in southern areas. In addition, military operations have displaced approximately 25,000 households in southern Lubero Territory since January 20, according to reports from NGOs operating in the field.
- In FY 2009, USAID/OFDA provided nearly $2.9 million to International Medical Corps (IMC) for emergency humanitarian assistance to IDPs and host communities in North Kivu Province, including health, nutrition, protection, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions.
Humanitarian Assistance to North Kivu Province
- Increased security has facilitated the delivery of relief commodities to IDPs and returnees in some areas of North Kivu Province, while poor road infrastructure and insecurity continue to impede humanitarian access to beneficiaries in Masisi Territory. To address the needs of returnees, humanitarian staff continue to develop improved emergency relief commodity distribution methods.
- On February 20, humanitarian staff began seed and tool distributions to an estimated 2,400 returnee households in Rutshuru Territory as part of a joint U.N. World Food Program (WFP) and U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization project to improve food security in areas of origin. In addition, the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) noted the completion of emergency relief commodity distributions to nearly 9,000 displaced and returnee households in Rutshuru Territory, with the support of the USAID/OFDA-funded UNICEF Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM).
- On February 20, USAID/DART staff noted that road damage along the Sake-Masisi axis in Masisi Territory continued to impede the delivery of humanitarian assistance to IDP populations in Masisi town and areas further north in North Kivu Province. Beginning in December 2008, the U.N. Office for Project Services has facilitated reconstruction efforts along the main road to Masisi.
- In FY 2009, USAID/OFDA provided $2 million to UNICEF's RRM for logistical support and the provision of emergency relief commodities to conflict-affected persons, including beneficiaries in North Kivu Province.
Humanitarian Conditions in Orientale Province
- Despite the absence of reports of significant violence in Orientale Province in recent weeks, small-scale attacks and fear of further Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) violence continue to impede humanitarian access to conflict-affected populations in Haut-Uélé District.
- On February 25, OCHA reported that insecurity continues to prevent the delivery of humanitarian assistance to 17,000 IDPs in Faradje town and 5,500 individuals in Sambia town. In addition, UNICEF reported restricted access to an estimated 2,300 displaced households in Ngilima town and 440 returnee households in Duru town as of February 18.
- Despite access constraints, OCHA reported that humanitarian agencies delivered relief commodities to nearly 4,000 households in Dungu and an estimated 4,000 households in Doruma as of February 25. USAID/DART staff and humanitarian partners continue to develop plans to augment emergency relief commodity deliveries to conflictaffected populations throughout Haut-Uélé District.
- In FY 2009, USAID/OFDA provided more than $500,000 to Samaritan's Purse for WASH programs and the provision of relief commodities in Dungu Territory, Orientale Province.
MAP - USG Humanitarian Assistance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (as of 04 Mar 2009)