DR Congo: OCHA Humanitarian Situation Update No. 09 - North Kivu, 08 - 10 Nov 2008
- Saturday 8 November, the humanitarian organizations present in South Lubero left the area as a precautionary measure. This temporary suspension of activities is due to the precarious security situation. The strong militarization of the area, the looting of houses and the threats of armed men prevent humanitarian workers from working in a safe and serene environment. These humanitarian actors have shut down and left to Beni, Butembo and Lubero.
- IDPs in the region of Rutshuru – Kiwanja remain without assistance since 29 October (arrival of CNDP troops in the region) with the exception of health assistance provided by MSF-F in the general hospital of Rutshuru.
- Humanitarian actors resumed their activities in Kibati following an interruption on 7 November due to the fighting.
Political and Security Context
- Rutshuru: Clashes took place on 8 and 9 November in Kinyandoni and Kahungab respectively. The fighting prevented the return of the population to Kiwanja, where it is estimated that 6 000 households are concentrated around the MONUC base (MOB) and in various sites.
- Rutshuru: Fighting between CNDP and FARDC took place in Mutenda, 3 km from Katwe, on 9 November provoking new displacements of population.
- Masisi: Clashes occured in Ngungu on 9 November between Mayi-Mayi groups and CNDP.
Population Movements
Rutshuru
- Local authorities are planning sensitization activities for the return of IDPs to Kiwanja by guaranteeing their security.
Goma
- Provisional figures on IDPs: 1 478 families (8 890 persons and 169 un-accompanied children). UNICEF, with its parners, will provide assistance to the children. A census is under way by local authorities.
Grand Nord
- In Kanyabayonga, IDPs continue to arrive from Kiwanja and Nyanzale / Kikuku (Rutshuru territory), adding to the approximately 3 400 newly displaced families already registered. The population in Kanyabayonga fears the resumption of the fighting due to the military presence in the town and the arrival of new IDPs from Nyanzale and Kikuku. Local sources reported that some inhabitants of Kanyabayonga have decided to leave for Kirumba.
- In Kirumba, the IDP committee reported on 8 November 1 014 displaced families and 675 displaced families of militaries.
- In Kayna, the IDP committee reported 1 221 displaced families and 409 displaced families of militaries.
- In Loufu, some 176 displaced families were reported.
Gaps
The temporary suspension of humanitarian activities in the South Lubero affects:
- The water tracking activities towards Kanyabayonga.
- The agricultural support to IDPs and host families.
- Protection activities and sensitization on guiding principles on internal displacement.
Health
- Rutshuru: according to WHO, 5 health centers need urgent supply of drugs. This includes the localities of Murambi, Mapendo, Rubare, Katale and Kibututu.
- Rutshuru Health Zone: there is a need to supply the testing centers.
Watsan
- Rutshuru: there are difficulties to access drinking water in several sectors of Kiwanja. Only one tap is available for the IDPs around the MONUC MOB. Latrines and showers are not available. 4 cases of cholera were reported between 8 and 9 November; including 1 death on 8 November.
Assistance
Food
- Yesterday, ICRC finalized its food distribution to 65 000 persons in Kibati.
Shelters
- An additional 2,000 sticks for shelter have been delivered at Kibati. The sticks will help build shelter for some 333 families. However, more families are in need of shelter. The 4th portable purpose built Rubb structure was assembled early Friday, 7 November. Once the remaining two are set up, they will accommodate up to 1,200 people. Meanwhile, UNHCR and its partners are actively exploring possibility of acquiring bulldozers to expand Kibati II for IDP sheltering. Some 65,000 IDPs urgently need shelter, among other needs.
Watsan
- 113 720 persons have benefited from Watsan support provided by IRC and UNICEF/RRM in public areas in Goma.
NFI
- Reports from Uganda suggest around 20 refugees arrived in Kashenyi.
- The protection cluster will distribute NFI (mainly plastic sheeting) following the distribution of food during the course of the week
- On 9 November, IRC distributed firewood in the camp. 9 162 households received 25 kg of firewood each. This distribution decreases the risk of being attacked when leaving the camp to collect firewood.
Health
- WHO, UNICEF and the provincial Ministry of Health support measles vaccination in Shasha.
- According to WHO, 37 cases of cholera including 4 deaths were reported in Goma, Mweso, Rutshuru, Karisimbi, Kirotshe, Walikale and Birambizo Health Zones. 21 of these cases were children under 5.
- 1 000 liters of Ringer Lactate, provided by the WHO, were given to the Provincial Inspection of Health in Goma to prevent the spread of cholera among the displaced.
Education
- The Education cluster awaits the Pooled Fund Board's decision to speed up the disbursement of the second allocation for 2008.
- UNICEF and its partners are preparing the distribution of « return to school » kits. The operation should begin in the week of 17 November in the territory of Masisi.
Camp Management
- The registration of new IDPs has almost been completed in Kibati.
Logistics
- The Belgian government offered 7 humanitarian flights (Belgian Air Force) from Kinshasa to Goma to INGO MEMISA Belgium. The operation began at the rate of one flight a day.
- To reduce delivery time to DRC, WFP is taking the necessary actions to speed up the process for the provisioning and transport of food in the region, including the increase of the existing transport capacity in airports and harbors.
For more information, visit our humanitarian website: http://www.rdc-humanitaire.net/