ReliefWeb

SOUTH KIVU: RELOCATION OF BURUNDIAN REFUGEES FROM KAMANYOLA SET FOR EARLY OCTOBER

A week after more than 30 refugees from Burundi were killed by Congolese soldiers in Kamanyola, South Kivu, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), its humanitarian partners and South Kivu authorities on 20 September agreed to relocate the remaining 2,900 refugees to the Mulongwe site, 175 km south of Kamanyola, in Walungu Territory. The decision-makers hope the move will lessen tensions between the Burundi refugees and the host community. According to UNHCR, Congolese soldiers opened fire on these asylum seekers who were demanding the release of several of their compatriots arrested a few days earlier.

Thirty-seven Burundians, including women and children, and one FARDC soldier were killed. UNHCR has asked Congolese authorities to conduct an investigation. Since the incident, some 2,400 had sought refuge near the UN peacekeeping base in Kamanyola. UNHCR is investigating the circumstances of the event

KASAÏ CRISIS: IRC LAUNCHES HEALTH PROJECT TARGETING SOME 40,000 PEOPLE

The international NGO International Rescue Committee on 18 September launched a five-months health project targeting some 40,000 displaced, returnees and locals people living in Luiza,
Matamba and Mbula Mbula and surrounding villages in Kasai Central health areas. Some of the civilians to benefit are among the first to flee when violence broke in August 2016 in the area.
Among other things, the project will re-stock health centers in essential medicines and equipment, rehabilitate health centers, train medical staff as well as cover financial payments to medical staff. The project will also provide post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) kits for SGBV, including the distribution of dignity kits.

OCHA estimates that the Kasai crisis caused the displacement of 1.4 million people both internally and in neighboring provinces, affecting a total of 9 of the 26 provinces in the country. Five months after the launch of the emergency appeal for the crisis, humanitarian actors received nearly US $ 24 million out of the 64.5 million requested last April, or 37 percent. The humanitarian community is waiting for the promises of funding made in recent weeks by some donors.

CHOLERA: ONGOING EFFORTS TO STEM THE DISEASE

Congolese authorities and humanitarian actors remain active in curbing a cholera epidemic that has already killed over 500 people since the beginning of the year. From the capital Kinshasa to the eastern provinces, suspected cases are reported on a daily basis.

Among other, Idjwi Island, halfway between North and South Kivu, has recorded some 260 cases, 80 percent in the island’s northern neighborhoods. 330 cases of the water-borne disease, including 21 deaths, have been reported by mid-July in Maniema Province.

Meanwhile, in Haut Lomami Province, Mulongo health district recorded more than 70% of cholera cases in Malemba Nkulu Territory over the past three weeks. Many other cases are reported in Tanganyika, Haut Katanga, South Kivu. Response and prevention efforts are ongoing, including the Congolese health ministry setting up a cholera crisis cell to monitor developments;
UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and numerous international and national NGOs have been deploying medicine and equipment to respond to the cases, as well as conducting information campaigns in communities on clean water and hygiene practices. Two weeks ago, WHO announced $400,000 to support cholera fighting as well as the deployment of technical teams in priority areas.

NORTH KIVU: MORE THAN 10 PEOPLE KILLED, AND DOZENS REPORTED MISSING FOLLOWING HEAVY RAINS IN MASISI TERRITORY

More than 10 people were killed, several dozens were wounded and many more have been missing since 19 September when heavy rains and hailstones provoked the Osso River to go out its bed and caused floods and mudslides in the villages of Bihambwe and Muheto. Some of the wounded were transported to Goma, others at the local health center. A provincial government delegation arrived in Masisi territory on 20 September to take stock of the situation; it also provided survivors with some medicine and household emergency supplies.