DR Congo: OCHA Humanitarian Situation Update No. 13 - North Kivu, 14 - 17 Nov 2008

- Clashes resumed on 16 November in Rwindi, approximately 20km south of Kanyabayonga.

- The Special Envoy for the UN Secretary General visited the DRC for 72 hours, where he met with Congolese President Joseph Kabila and Laurent Nkunda, the leader of the CNDP.

- 25 000 persons remain without assistance in Bambu, 80 km north of Goma.

Political and Security Context

- The Secretary General's Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo, stayed from 14 to 16 November in DRC where he discussed with Congolese authorities, notably with President Joseph Kabila. He also met with the leader of the CNDP, Laurent Nkunda.

- Clashes between CNDP and FARDC occurred on Sunday, 16 November in Rwindi, about 20km south of Kanyabayonga. FARDC movements from Lubero to Kanyabayonga were observed end of last week

Population Movements

Rutshuru

Following last weekend's clashes in Rutshuru territory, new population movements were reported (see below). RRM signaled an influx of IDPs into Lubero from Kanyabayonga, many continued towards Butembo, Beni and Oicha-Eringety.

During a meeting with the humanitarian community in Beni on 15 November, the Provincial Minister of Interior instructed local authorities to identify possible sites to accommodate IDPs.

- In Kanyabayonga, part of the population regrouped around MONUC's base. According to local sources, there are about 350 families. Suspected cases of cholera are also reported.

- Local sources in Lunyasenge, a village located on the west coast of Lake Edouard, reported the arrival of 493 families of IDPs who crossed the lake from Vitshumbi, on 17 November. Registration is ongoing as other IDPs are expected to arrive.

- In Luofu, the presence of 636 families was reported by local authorities. They came from the Kanyabayonga - Kayna - Kirumba axis as well as Rutshuru territory.

- CEPROSSAN reported that 491 IDP families found shelter in Kitsumbiro, Kasima and Katondi, all villages located in South Lubero.

- According to the mayor of Lubero, 570 families from South Lubero and Rutshuru were registered on 13 November. These displaced families will stay with host families. Some families might have to host more than three displaced families.

- The IDP Committee in Kamandi, has registered 1 178 displaced families from Kiwanja and Kirumba.

- In Butembo, the registration of IDPs is under way. 907 families were registered, including families of FARDC. Some IDPs found shelter with host families and in the Cathedral, others remain homeless.

- 25 000 IDPs gathered around MONUC's base in Bambu, about 80 km north of Goma. According to MONUC's military spokesman, these people are staying without assistance. Cases of diarrhea are also reported.

- According to the Catholic parish in Kirumba, IDPs continue to return. The inhabitants of Kirumba fled following FARDC lootings on 11 November. Kirumba currently hosts IDPs form Kanyabayonga who are hesitant to return to their homes.

Goma

- According to the evaluations made by IRC from 10 to 11 November, 6 919 displaced families are in Goma. Registration is being planned to confirm this figure. The majority of these persons are staying with host families and in other public sites.

Minova (Sud-Kivu)

- 6 129 displaced families were registered by IRC / RRM, World Vision and Malteser. WFP, in collaboration with Malteser, envisages food distribution for three months starting 21 November.

Gaps

Watsan

- There are currently no humanitarian actors in the region of Bambu where 25 000 IDPs have assembled. According to MONUC/CAS, three cholera-related deaths have been reported; the total number of cases is not available.

- There is no more medicine at the health center in Kitsule (not far from Katale), in the Masisi Health Zone, according the Head Nurse of the center. All the patients were transferred to the General Hospital of Masisi. Save the Children-UK who supports the centre, will take appropriate action to address this situation

- IRC reports that the region of Visthumbi, where 3 376 IDPs have arrived between 6 and 7 November, remains inaccessible. Nutrition and sanitation have been identified as some of the most urgent needs.

- An increase in the number of cholera cases in the CCCM and public sites at Goma. According to a mission of Provincial Health Inspection (IPS), this situation is caused by the non use the chlorination posts as well as the absence of sensitization on hygiene.

- Critical sanitary conditions are reported in Kitchanga (150-200 persons per latrine) and Kanyatsi (170 persons per latrine). Problems of access to water are also reported in Kitchanga, Mweso, Kanyatsi and Burungu.

Assistance

NFI

- HCR distributed NFIs on Friday 14 November in Kibati. The NFI kits included blankets, matresses, jerricans, soap, cooking utensils, and plastic sheeting.

Watsan

- The population of Sake has regained access to portable water. The ICRC terminated the repair of the water network on 13 November.

- In Sasha, RRM team constructed 12 blocks and 8 posts of latrines in the camp and in the market and plans to construct 4 blocks of 8 posts of showers.

Education

- In compliance with the «back to school» campaign, the distributions begin Monday 17 November for 78 000 students in the 1st and 2nd primary grades in Goma and the surroundings, including Kibati and Mugunga. Schools in Goma that have over 20% displaced children and all the schools in Masisi will also receive for the 3rd and 6th primary grades.

- In Kibati, 3 schools are occupied by the military and 4 by IDPs. UNICEF requested the Protection Cluster lead to offer another site for the IDPs. The sensitization began Friday 14 November.

Health/Nutrition

- On 14 November ICRC supplied medications to Ishasha and Nyamilima Health Centers in the Health Zone of Binza, via Uganda. On 15 November, ICRC also provided medicines to General Hospital of Virunga, in the Health Zone of Karisimbi, in Goma.

- UNFPA, through its operational partner GAD, provided 203 delivery kits to pregnant women in the IDP camps of Kibati.

- UNFPA provided the General Hospital of Goma with medicine for obstetrical and neo-natal care for 150,000 IDPs and host families.

- On 14 November SC-UK resumed the activities of the Ambulatory Care Program in the region of Masisi.

- In Masisi town, 78 cases of severe acute malnutrition were reported on 14th November at the Nutritional Therapeutical supported by SC-UK. New cases are on the rise compared to the two previous weeks.

Logistics

- The Logistics Cluster began to organize convoys with MONUC escorts for the transportation of food for the IDPs in Kiwanja and Rutshuru. The operation continued until 17 November.

For more information visit out humanitarian website : http://www.rdc-humanitaire.net

Contacts :

- Christophe Illemassene, Information Manager, OCHA RDC, illemassene@un.org, Tél.: + 243 819 889 195

- Ivo Brandau, Chargé d'information OCHA-RDC, brandau@un.org, Tél. : + 243 815 142 956

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