DR Congo: OCHA North Kivu Humanitarian Situation Report - 14 Sep 2007

In the past week, although skirmishes have been reported almost daily, no major armed confrontations have been registered in Masisi and Rutshuru territories. Humanitarian workers have used the window of opportunity to reach areas that have remained inaccessible since the fighting that erupted in the last week of August. However, the uncertainty of the situation remains the major obstacle to the delivery of relief aid to populations in Masisi and Rutshuru.

CONTEXT

No major breach of the cessation of hostilities has been reported since 6th September, but troop movements are observed in many places. At this point, around one quarter of all Congolese army is deployed in North Kivu province. The situation in Goma remains calm.

Targeted assassinations have been reported like the murder of the Chef de Village a.i. of Nyamilima on 12th September.

During a press conference with national media on 13th September, President Joseph Kabila rejected negotiations with Laurent Nkunda.

POPULATION MOVEMENTS

Reports of population movements/displacements are received daily, but overall scope of movements, duration of displacement and duration remains extremely difficult to confirm due to access restriction.

Latest reports indicate the following movements (mostly in Masisi district, except for Nyanzale in Rutshuru)

- Buguri (east of Masisi town): 6,000 persons

- Kitchanga: 400 families in schools, 800 persons around MONUC base

- Nyanzale (Rutshuru district): no number available

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

As of 14th September, 12,944 displaced families have been registered in Mugunga and Bulengo, 15 km west of Goma. Humanitarian organisations will carry out verification of numbers of registered families once food aid distribution is completed at the weekend and in order to better identify gaps in assistance and cases of double registration.

Also, UNHCR, Norwegian Refugee Council, UNICEF, Solidarités and OCHA are working with local authorities on the identification of alternative areas where displaced families can be placed. The large number of families currently in Mugunga poses risk for hygiene and water borne diseases (diarrhoea and cholera are a serious concern).

Solidarités conducted an assessment mission in Mushaki (12 km north of Sake) on 13th September. 1,350 displaced families were registered, their conditions are precarious and assistance is being organised to Mushaki as a priority. Solidarités is planning to deliver non-food item kits over the weekend if security conditions allow it.

In Bweremana and Bitonga (south of Sake towards South Kivu), 3,414 displaced families coming from Masisi were registered, they have received non-food/shelter kits distributed by Solidarités. Movements of populations from North to South Kivu are being jointly monitored by humanitarian organisations working in the two provinces.

Contacts:

Patrick Lavand'homme, Head of Office, Goma (North Kivu), OCHA-DR Congo
Email: lavandhomme@un.org
Tel: +243 (0) 819 889 165

Christophe Illemassene, Senior Public Information Officer, Kinshasa, OCHA-DR Congo
Email: illemassene@un.org
Tel: +243 (0) 819 889 195