Democratic Republic of the Congo: Humanitarian Highlights #8 (1 – 31 August 2023)

FUNDING

USD 2 MILLION NEEDED TO RESTORE SCHOOLS USED AS SHELTER IN THE EAST

In a joint advocacy note issued in August, the Education, Shelter, Protection and IDP sites Management clusters call for the immediate depopulation of schools used as shelters by displaced households and their relocation to safe and suitable places in Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu. The clusters appeal to donors, the Congolese government and humanitarian partners to provide shelter solutions and to guarantee the right to education for all girls and boys in the three provinces. According to the Education cluster, more than 1,000 schools are still closed, including 356 used as shelters by displaced families due to insufficient capacity in displaced sites and host communities, thus affecting more than 115,000 children, including 56,000 girls and 17,000 children with disabilities. North Kivu province is the most affected, with over 300 schools used as shelters as of July 2023. The Education cluster and its partners request $2 million to restore 356 schools.

EPIDEMICS

MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK IN DRC

The National Monkeypox Coordination has reported over 6,900 cases of Monkeypox disease, including 328 deaths, since the beginning of the year. Equateur province is the most affected, with over 2,600 cases, including 178 deaths. The disease affects 159 of the 519 health zones in DRC. Children aged 5 to 15 are the most affected. The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to raise awareness and mobilize resources for the response as part of the "One Health" approach by stakeholders.

KASAI

AVERAGE MEASLES MORTALITY EXCEEDS 4 PERCENT IN KASAI PROVINCE

3, 217 measles cases and 114 deaths were recorded between 20 and 26 August, according to the Provincial Health Division (DPS) and WHO. All 18 health zones (HZ) in the Kasaï Province have reported measles cases in varying proportions since the beginning of the year. In total, 18,551 cases, including 764 deaths, have been reported from 1 January to 26 August. The Kanzala HZ has reported the highest caseload (3,335), followed by Luebo (2,823) and Kalonda West (1,874). The highest death rate is reported in Kanzala, reaching 9.5 per cent, followed by Mushenge (5.4 per cent), Kitangwa (5.3 per cent), and Kalonda (3.6 per cent).

HAUT UELE

FIVE DEAD AND HUNDREDS DISPLACED FOLLOWING AN ATTACK IN DUNGU TERRITORY

According to local civil society organizations, five people from two villages on the outskirts of Dungu (2,500 km northeast of Kinshasa) were killed on 12 August during raids by armed elements. These incidents forced over 1,500 inhabitants to flee their homes and seek refuge in safer localities, including Dungu, the capital of Haut-Uele province. The displaced populations live in precarious conditions with urgent needs in food, water, hygiene and sanitation, shelter, and healthcare. Local authorities point at the community of herders for the deadly attacks. This situation is likely to escalate into intercommunal tensions.

TANGANYIKA

SECURING RECEPTION AREAS IS VITAL TO ENABLE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO 53,000 IDPS IN KALEMIE AND MOBA

Approximately 53,000 people were displaced between January and August 2023 due to escalating intercommunal conflict between two communities in the Kalemie, Nyemba (Kalemie territory), Moba and Kansimba (Moba territory) health zones. This resurgence of conflict has resulted in over 100 civilians killed, at least 130 wounded, and alarming sexual violence against 95 women, including girls under 18. More than 54 villages have been torched down, causing mass displacement. With monthly averages of 13 to 14 civilian fatalities, 12 cases of sexual assault, and nearly 20 injuries in the first eight months of the year, the humanitarian response faces immense challenges. Fragile social cohesion between the communities, limited security coverage, and the risk of beneficiary attacks. To address this crisis, OCHA and various clusters conducted advocacy efforts, seeking government action to secure and pacify the affected areas. Provincial authorities are working in collaboration with humanitarians to enable a safer environment for humanitarian assistance.