DR Congo: OCHA Humanitarian Situation Update No. 14 - North Kivu, 18 - 19 Nov 2008

• Clashes between FARDC and PARECO in Kayna and Kirumba occurred on 18 November.

- The Nutritional Therapeutic Centre (CNT) of Kayna was ransacked on 19 November by the FARDC.

- 2 000 Congolese crossed into Uganda yesterday, bringing the total of estimated refugees to 14500.

- The British Minister for Asia, Africa and the UN arrived in Goma.

Political and Security Context

- The security situation remains tense and volatile in the province

- Clashes between FARDC and PARECO occurred on 18 November after FARDC looted the localities of Kayna and Kirumba. At least 6 civilians were killed by FARDC.

- On 18 November, CNDP announced a unilateral retreat of its troops 40 km from the Kanyabayonga-Nyanzale and Kabasha-Kiwanja axes.

- To prevent looting in Butembo, local businessmen asked the Mayi-Mayi of Vurondo to secure the city.

- Mr Marc Malloch Brown, British Minister for Asia, Africa and the UN arrived in Goma on 19 November. He visited the Mugunga IDP camp.

- Mrs Soraya Rodriguez, Spanish Minister for International Cooperation, initially expected to arrive in DRC on 19 November, will now arrive on 20 November.

Population Movements

Grand Nord

- IDPs and local populations in Kanyabayonga, Rwindi, Kirumba, Mabenga live in constant fear Preventive departures were observed following the deterioration of the security situation in the region north of Rutshuru and South Lubero.

Rutshuru Territory

- According to UNHCR, 2 000 persons crossed the border through Ishasha Tuesday evening. With this new wave of refugees, UNHCR estimates that since the end of August, when the fighting resumed, the total number of Congolese refugees in Uganda has reached 14 500 persons.

- According to a preliminary report from UNHCR, 58 % of IDPs in the Kibati Camps have been displaced for less than three months and 19 % have been displaced for 3 to 12 months. 23 % have been displaced for 1 to 3 years. Only 2 % are displaced for the first time.
Rumours of an imminent attack by the Mayi-Mayi have provoked population displacements from Kiwanja towards the city of Rutshuru.

Minova (Sud-Kivu)

- The owner of the Mubimbi II plantation opposes the presence of IDPs on his site. It is therefore necessary examine the possibility of relocating IDPs from Mubimbi II to Kitalaga and to resolve this issue with the political and administrative authorities.

Security incidents against humanitarians

- At 6pm on 19 November FARDC ransacked the Therapeutic Nutritional Centre (CNT) of Kayna. They took pans, mattresses and other equipments. According to LWF, they came and left again in the morning without taking anything in the presence of malnourished children. This CNT usually cares accommodates for 50 children suffering from severe malnutrition.

- Monday 17 November, a military entered the ICRC base in Kirumba, where he stole telephones and other property from ICRC agents. Following this incident, ICRC is organising the evacuation of its personnel.

Gaps

Food Security

- The FAO reported 114,3 % increase in food commodities prices in Goma from January to 17th November. From October to 17th November, prices increased by 6,4 %. Difficulties to supply the city are due to insecurity, desertion of fields by families and the deterioration of secondary roads service.

Watsan

- Despite the rehabilitation of the Mbigo water networks by Solidarities / RRM in Rutshuru and Kiwanja, there is still an insufficiency of water. For instance the bad sanitary conditions could lead to the spread of epidemics.

- Due to Sake's position on the frontline separating CNDP and FARDC, a large part of the water network that serves the town is inaccessible.

Protection

- There is an urgent need for protection actors in Rutshuru.

- There is a need to strengthen advocacy activities and the collection of information on cases of abuses and acts of violence against the population.

Assistance

Shelter and NFI

- The distribution of NFI kits (used clothes, mosquito nets, hygienic kits for women) to more than 4 000 IDPs in Kilimani secondary school site, in Masisi, was completed.

Watsan

- In response to the cholera epidemic in Sake, Solidarities / RRM is constructing 100 latrine posts.

Education

- Regarding the education problems of displaced children in Kibati, Solidarities / RRM will conduct an evaluation for the construction of classrooms.

Health/Nutrition

- The Health Cluster adopted on 18 November a plan to distribute drugs in eight Health Zones (Goma, Karisimbi, Rutshuru, Kirotshe, Mweso, Masisi and Walikale). A total of 159 basic kits were distributed on 19 November to give IDPs and other affected populations free access to health services for three months.

- UNFPA provided 500 delivery kits to MERLIN to support the Rutshuru Health Zone. They also distributed medical kits and equipment for basic obstetrical care to the General Hospital of Goma. The Kibumba and Kibati Health Centres were also provided with maternity kits. Additionally, all Health Zones received 30 000 condoms.

- According to the provincial health services, 20 cases of sexual violence were reported in Goma between 12 and 18 November.

- 29 cases of cholera were reported between 17 and 18 November in the province. The majority of the cases came from Rutshuru.

- The Ishasha and Nyamilima Health Centers were supplied with drugs.

Protection

- MONUC / Child protection in Beni reported that 38 demobilised children from the Orientation and Transit Center of Caritas were evacuated from Kanyabayonga to Goma for security reasons. Since the security situation deteriorated in Kanyabayonga, these children found shelter in the Catholic mission. On Saturday15 November, they were driven to the MONUC Indian contingent base of Kanyabayonga where they were evacuated from.

Logistics

- The Logistics Cluster currently has 10 trucks and a large storage capacity in Goma. Kampala remains the main logistic platform for the reception and the transfer of food and NFI. The cluster intends to increase its stocking capacity in Gisenyi (Rwanda) and Entebbe (Uganda). Minova (Sud-Kivu)

Assistance

Food Security

- Two local NGOs were supported by the FAO to assist IDPs with the provision of seeds and tools. This requires coordination between FAO, both local NGOs and ACF, who has already distributed seeds and tools.

Watsan

- OXFAM GB intends to rehabilitate the water system in Minova. This will require consultations and gaps assessment with ACF, OXFAM Quebec, IRC / RRM and the Central Office of the Minova Health Zone.

For more information, visit our 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