Democratic Republic of the Congo: Humanitarian Highlights #4 (1 – 30 April 2023)

FUNDING

EU ALLOCATES ADDITIONAL €32 MILLION IN HUMANITARIAN FUNDING TO THE DRC

The European Union (EU) said in a press release issued on 26 April that it will release additional €32.7 million ($36 million) to support the humanitarian crisis response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This new funding, which comes in addition to an initial allocation of €45.7 million ($50 million)will cover immediate needs in nutrition, healthcare, water and sanitation, shelter and protection. The EU has transported 260 tons of medical, nutritional and emergency supplies from different partners through its Humanitarian Air Bridge flights to Goma, between March and April 2023.

JAPAN CONTRIBUTES $1.5 MILLION TO BOOST FOOD ASSISTANCE IN THE EAST

The World Food Programme (WFP) announced on 3 April that it received $1.5 million from the Government of Japan as emergency support for ongoing food assistance activities in eastern DRC. The funding, which comes on top of an initial contribution of $6.5 million, will help WFP reach nearly 110,000 displaced people with life-saving assistance. Persistent armed clashes in the East have left more than 1.1 million people in need of food support across North Kivu,
Ituri, and South Kivu.

EPIDEMIC

MEASLES EPIDEMIC ON PACE TO EXCEED LAST YEAR’S MEASLES CASELOAD

In the first four months of 2023, the country has recorded 53 per cent of the total number of measles cases registered last year, according to health authorities. As of 16 April, the country had registered at least 78,396 new cases and 921 deaths, compared to 148,638 cases and 1,875 deaths recorded in 2022. 23 out of the 26 provinces are at epidemic stage. The hardest hit provinces are South and North Kivu (19,702 and 19,385 cases, respectively). Weak health and sanitation infrastructures, acute malnutrition and low vaccination coverage, particularly in areas with limited access due to insecurity, continue to trigger such epidemics, severely impacting the life expectancy of children under five. Between 2018 and 2020, DRC experienced one of the world’s worst measles outbreaks, during which more than 460,000 children (three-quarters of whom were under five) contracted the disease, and nearly 8,000 died. A vaccination campaign is scheduled to take place in May in North Kivu, South Kivu, Mongala, Kinshasa, and Tshopo provinces to help curb the spread of the epidemic.

ITURI

70,000 PEOPLE DISPLACED IN ONE MONTH IN MAHAGI TERRITORY

Following repeated armed attacks, close to 70,000 civilians are estimated to have been displaced between mid-March and mid-April in Rimba health zone in Mahagi territory, according to local authorities and humanitarian sources. These attacks left some 50 civilians dead,15 others wounded, 500 houses burned down, and three health centers looted. The violence has equally disrupted the schooling of nearly 20,000 children. About 83 per cent of the displaced are living with host families; the rest has settled in makeshift sites, including churches and schools. Healthcare, food and non-food items, education, and protection services are among the most pressing needs. The recent string of violence in Ituri province has continued unabated since the beginning of the year. Over 330 civilians are estimated to have been killed in armed attacks across this province between February and April 2023.

NORTH KIVU

DEADLY ATTACKS TARGETING CIVILIANS CONTINUE IN BENI TERRITORY

Between 1 and 30 April 2023, some 60 civilians were reportedly killed in Kyondo and Oïcha health zones in Beni territory, including at least 26 in a single day in Oïcha. These incidents are worsening the already severe humanitarian situation in Oïcha, home to more than 65,000 displaced people. Since the beginning of 2023, more than 200 civilians have been killed in armed attacks in Beni territory, according to local civil society and humanitarian sources. Some 47,500 have been displaced during the same period, representing nearly 12 per cent of the 410,000 newly displaced people in North Kivu province since January 2023.

THOUSANDS OF DISPLACED PEOPLE RETURN TO RUTSHURU TERRITORY

Some 90,000 displaced people who have gradually returned to Rutshuru and Rwanguba health zones in Rutshuru territory since late October 2022, urgently need food, health, education, and agricultural assistance, according to an OCHA-led mission. They had fled clashes between the Congolese army and the M23 armed group in Rutshuru between March and October 2022. They have not been assisted since their return because the volatile security situation restricted humanitarian access to the area. On 13 April, OCHA reopened its Rutshuru office in Kiwanja, after more than five months of closure following the deteriorating security situation. Assessments are underway to allow humanitarian activities to resume.

SOUTH KIVU

ARMED CLASHES CAUSE THOUSANDS TO FLEE IN KALEHE TERRITORY

Between 1 and 3 April 2023, fighting broke out between two armed groups in Kahuzi Biega National Park in Bunyakiri health zone, forcing over 6,000 people to flee their homes. This displaced population moved to neighboring villages where they have been living with host families. Some reportedly spent the night in the open air due to lack of shelter. They joined more than 8,000 others who arrived in this zone between January and February 2023, after having fled clashes between the Congolese army and the M23 armed group in neighboring North Kivu province, according to a recent rapid assessment conducted by humanitarian actors. The assessment mission identified urgent needs in shelter, food and non-food items, healthcare, education, clean water, and protection services.

TANGANYIKA

MORE THAN 73,000 AFFECTED BY FLOODS

More than 73,000 people have been affected by flooding, following heavy rains across Tanganyika province in the past four weeks, according to the Provincial Division of Humanitarian Affairs of Tanganyika’s April 26 report. Kabalo (nearly 30,000 people) and Manono (29,200) are the most affected territories. Amid the destruction of thousands of homes and food stocks, the floods also destroyed 188 classrooms, interrupting the education of nearly 14,500 children. At least 13 health structures and 34 drinking water points were equally damaged, raising concerns about the risk of a widespread cholera epidemic across the province, which has already reported at least 1,283 cholera cases and 16 deaths since the beginning of 2023. Floodings are recurrent in Tanganyika. Food, shelter, essential household items, and access to clean water are among the most urgent needs.