ReliefWeb

- Tensions and exchanges of fire in Kibati, assistance suspended

- Cholera: alarming situation in Petit-Nord and Rutshuru

Political and Security Context

The UN Secretary General and the Heads of State of Rwanda and DRC participated today at the Nairobi Summit. The final declaration of the Summit calls for an immediate cease-fire between all armed groups in North Kivu as well as for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor.

Following fire exchanges in Kibati in the afternoon, population movements towards Goma were reported but no confirmed numbers are available yet. As a reminder, more than 65,000 IDPs are currently installed in the camps of Kibati I and II.

Due to these confrontations, activities in Kibati were interrupted in the early afternoon. Affected activities were food distributions by WFP, a vaccination campaign against measles by UNICEF, as well as water-trucking and latrine construction activities by RRM/Mercy Corps.

Population Movements

Solidarités provided first statistics on IDPs originating from Rutshuru territory: 1,806 families arrived in Kanyabayonga, where the census is ongoing, 1,221 families fled to Kayna, 151 families fled to Mighobwe, 91 families arrived in Kaseghe and 29 families arrived in Luofu; which provides a preliminary total of 3,298 displaced families. The registration in Kirumba has not been finalized yet.

Assistance and Needs Assessments

Watsan / Health

Cholera: the situation is very alarming throughout the Petit-Nord region. Cases have been reported in eight health zones. In Kanyabayonga, MSF-F received eight suspected cases in its mobile clinics.

The Water supply installations in Rutshuru seem to have been damaged by the fighting which increases the potential for further cholera cases. As a reminder, 70 cases had already been reported last week.

In the Mugunga IDP camp the number of cholera cases has doubled since last week although no significant increase in the camp population was recorded. The WASH cluster reinforced its activities for sensitization and hygiene.

In Kanyabayonga, RRM/Solidarités is providing water from Beni to 45,000 IDPs and local populations. Solidarités and Oxfam provided 85 m3 and 90 m3 of water trucking respectively.

In the zone of Sake-Kitchanga-Ngunga, watsan activities by RRM partners resumed.

In Kanyabayonga, MERLIN provided 10 beds to the health centre CEPROMI.

Protection

Unaccompanied children: In Kanyabayonga territory, Save the Children established a presence to facilitate child tracing and family reunification. The NGO identified 25 unaccompanied children in Kanyabayonga, 7 in Kirumba, 5 in Kayna and 3 in Kaseghe.

In Kanyabayonga Solidarités provided BP5 to 78 IDP children (<5 years old) coming from Kiwanja.

Save the Children UK reported on 6 November the reception of 1,950 NFI kits for children, which will be distributed to IDP children in Sud-Lubero (ENA and other vulnerable).

For more information please refer to: http://www.rdc-humanitaire.net

MAP: Situation in Democratic Republic of the Congo (as of 7 Nov 2008) - Situation Map

Contacts:

Christophe Illemassene, Information Manager, OCHA DRC, illemassene@un.org, Tel.: +243 819 889 195

Ivo Brandau, Public Information Officer OCHA DRC, brandau@un.org, Tel. : + 243 815 142 956

Noel Tsekouras, Desk Officer OCHA New York, tsekouras@un.org, Tel.: + 1 917 367 93 67