Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- Exactions and pillaging by armed groups in IDP zones continue.
- IDPs return to Kibati camp after their transfer to
Mugunga III camp
- 2,039 households require food assistance in Kiwandja
- WFP finalized the dispatching of food for the
distribution to IDPs
POLITICAL AND SECURITY CONTEXT
- Protection continues to deteriorate in Kiwandja. Three
axes were identified as zones infested by the presence of
armed groups and bandits: the axes Kiwandja-Mabenga-Rwindi
and Vitsumbi, Kiwandja-Nyamilima-Ishasha and Burayi-Rubare.
- Barriers have been established on the road between Goma
and Rutshuru where exactions were perpetrated against
private transporters and civilians.
- Local sources reported that the security situation in
Kibirizi deteriorated and that its inhabitants vacate the
village during the night to hide in the bush.
- The North-Kivu Brigade of MONUC reported pillaging by
Mayi-Mayi in Nyamilima, Rwindi and Vitshumbi during the
weekend of 27-28 December 2008. MONUC patrols have been
established.
- According to MONUC, exchanges of fire between National
Police officers occurred during the night of 28 December
2008 in Goma, in the vicinity of SunCity, towards the exit
to Sake.
- On 29 December 2008, a fire was reported in Bambu camp,
in the North of Tongo, and in Nyanzale.
- According to NRC, on 29 December, a vehicle of a
religious organisation was attacked by unidentified armed
persons on the axis Rutshuru-Burai.
- On 31 December 2008, confrontations between CNDP and
PARECO in Mwezo occurred following theft of cattle.
COORDINATION
CPIA NK (Meeting of 29 December 2009)
- The situation in the Kibati IDP camps was discussed. The
CCCM working group reported the transfer of 3,830 persons
to Mugunga III. However, the persons that were transferred
to Mugunga III returned to Kibati. The CPIA will discuss
next Tuesday, 6 January 2009, an assistance strategy for
Kibati.
- UNHCR continues the revision of the camp management and
coordination strategy (CCCM). A presentation on the latest
version will be held during the next CPIA, on 6 January
2009.
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
GOMA
Food
- WFP finalized on 25 December the dispatching of food for
distribution to IDPs in North-Kivu, except for Lubero
territory. NRC, operational partner of WFP, faced multiple
constraints which lead to delays in the process. NRC
requested WFP food stocks for the reinstallation of IDPs in
Lubero, particularly in the localities of Kirumba and
Kayna. The food stocks will be distributed at the beginning
of January.
Protection
- The local NGO, Fondation Prime Mundu Ngawe, visited the
transit centre for street children and adults in the south
of Goma, in Kinyangote. 185 persons were registered, 90 of
which were children (14 girls). The gaps to cover are:
mattresses, medicine, blankets, food, generators, clothes,
hygiene produce, 60 jerry cans and water treatment
products. The NGO also visited the prison in Munzenze and
registered 658 prisoners, of which 17 children.
- The care center, Le Progrès, started its activities for
displaced children in Mugunga III on 29 December 2008. The
center also distributed 6,700 clothes for children and
adults in Kibati. Among the gaps are the need for
tarpaulins and school materials for 572 children in Mugunga
III and 537 children in Kibati.
GRAND NORD
Protection
- During the week of 22 December, CRN, under the
supervision of the provincial inspector and in partnership
with the NGO GESOM in Goma, started a programme for the
treatment of fistulas in Beni at the IGL sanitary structure
(Imagerie des Grands Lacs).
- SC-UK reported on 26 December the presence of 45 children
formerly associated with armed groups in the CTO of Beni
and of 15 others in host families in Lubero and Beni.
- ICRC reported that Red Cross personnel are present in
South Lubero for the identification of unaccompanied
children and their reunification with their families.
Unaccompanied children, whose parents are in the red zones
in Rutshuru where security is currently insufficient, will
be taken care of by SC-UK.
- A local NGO in Kanyabayonga reported that the Mayi-Mayi
PARECO group launched new recruitment of children in
Kikubo, a village 15 Km east of Kirumba, on the road to
Kamandi. Save the Children will verify this information.
NFI
- Solidarités reported the distribution of NFI kits, BP5
and mosquito nets to IDPs on the west side of Lake Edouard
on 24 December. Overall, 2,063 households received
assistance: 1,170 at the Lunyasenge distribution site and
893 at the site in Taliha.
RUTSHURU TERRITORY
Population Movements
- Kiwandja: CARITAS assessed that 2,039 households require
food assistance at the beginning of the 2009. Other
(non-verified) reports indicated the arrival of new IDPs in
Kiwandja, notably at the MONUC site.
Food
- WFP will provide 90 tonnes of food to IDPs at the Bambu
camp, in Rutshuru territory, 70% of which had been
destroyed during a fire. 1,150 IDPs live in the camp.
Protection
- Local authorities in Rutshuru committed to respond to
preoccupations about exactions against civilians and
humanitarian access restrictions.
- 10 children formerly associated with armed groups turned
themselves in to MONUC through MONUC’s child protection
section and the synergy of local NGOs.
Health
- MERLIN continues its support to health structures through
the distribution of essential medicine in Rutshuru health
zone.
- MERLIN envisages to launch a programme to fight HIV/AIDS
in partnership with the Global Fund in Rutshuru health
zone. The complete package of ad hoc activities will be
offered.
- According to MERLIN, during the 51st epidemiological week
12 cases of cholera were registered at the health centre in
Vitshumbi and 14 cases during the 52nd week. The zone
remains inaccessible for the moment.
Education
- 17 schools are targeted by JRS for scholastic assistance.
Scholastic activities have not yet entirely resumed in
Kiwandja. In Rutshuru all schools are functional.
Food Security
- Catholic Relief is conducting evaluations in Rumangabo,
Giseza, Konkwe, Katale, Biruma as a basis for food security
support for displaced or returnee households which were not
able to resume agricultural activities. This programme will
benefit approximately 11,120 households in Rutshuru
territory.
- Catholic Relief is supporting IDPs in preparations for
the upcoming agricultural season.
Water, hygiene and sanitation
- Solidarités will increase the quantity of the
distribution of drinking water (water trucking) at the
MONUC site in Kiwandja and will also improve the water
infrastructure in Mbigo and Kiwandja. Chloration points are
currently being reinforced by MERLIN in Kiwandja to prevent
a cholera epidemic.
MASISI TERRITORY
The Kanyatsi-Nyamitaba-Kiroliwe Zone
Protection
- Insecurity at the site in Kanyatsi due to incursions by
PARECO elements.
- IDPs hesitate to return to their villages due to fear of
retaliatory actions by CNDP. Some persons were abducted by
PARECO while tending to their fields.
- Non respect of civil character of IDP sites: CNDP
presence in uniforms and carrying arms.
Population Movements
- Kanyatsi: 3,081 households 3,000 of which are old and 81
newly arrived since 22 December. – Insufficient water at
the site: one singe faucet has to serve 3,081 households; -
Non scholarisation of numerous displaced children;
- Nyamitaba: 1,200 returned households according to the
administration of Mihanga. – No access to potable water;
- Difficult access to medical care: the health centre in
Nyamitaba which had completely been pillaged in October 07
was rehabilitated by SCUK.
- Kirolirwe: 1260 old households, 669 new households.
- Obsolescence of tarpaulins that serve as shelter for
IDPs.
Kitchanga Zone
Protection
- Family reunification of approximately 80 non-accompanied
children is foreseen for later this week due to
inaccessibility and insecurity in the zone. SC-UK in
collaboration with its local partner BENANFACE installed
three presences in the Mongote, Kahe and Mweso camps to
reinforce child protection activities.
- SC-UK installed its protection team in Kitchanga to
ensure continuity in child protection activities in the
zone (sensitization, tracing and family reunification).
- The CNDP continues to sensitize IDPs to return to their
zones of origin. IDPs are worried about this pressure to
return, since security has not yet been established in
these zones. Advocacy for protection and respect of
voluntary return need to be reinforced towards CNDP
authorities.
Population Mouvements
- The Committee of IDPs at the Mongote camp reported: 5,400
households. In Kahe: 3,300 households, in Burungu approx.
3,016 households and in Mweso 760 households, i.e. in total
12,476 households, half of which have arrived since
September 2008. A new registration of IDPs is necessary to
ensure proper consideration of the newly arrived IDPs
during the provision of assistance.
Health – Nutrition
- Cholera: Cases declined in the zone since the start of
the joint efforts: medical care by MSF-H and WATSAN
reinforcement by IRC, ICRC, PPSSP). During the 52nd
epidemiologic week, the CTC St Benoît in Kitchanga
registered 17 cases.
- Measles: two cases are under observation at the CTC St
Benoît in Kitchanga.
- Malnutrition: SC-UK registered in December 2008 more than
152 cases of severe malnutrition in four health areas
(Burungu, Busumba, Mokoto, Rugarama).
NFI and emergency shelter
- Tarpaulins and other NFI of IDPs in Kitchanga are
obsolescent. A new distribution should be envisaged.
Education
- More than 2,600 displaced children were registered by the
committee of parents in the camps of Mongote, Kahe, and
support for emergency education was requested.
Water, hygene and sanitation
- IRC finalized 80 latrine blocs at the camps in Mongote
and Kahe over the foreseen 104, which corresponds to 416
latrines.
- PPSSP constructed 12 water sources at Kizimba and
Rugarama in the health zone of Mweso. The establishment of
4 others is foreseen in Burungu.
WALIKALE TERRITORY
Population Movements
- IDPs arrived in Mandje, Burungi, Hombo North and Hombo
South. The local NGO GRADECO reported the presence of 420
families originating from Masisi. The administrator of
Walikale dispatched a team to register these families.
Health
- Sexually transmittable diseases/HIV-AIDS. The chief
doctor at the general hospital in Walikale reported that
the proportion of sexually transmittable diseases is
worrisome in Walikale: approximately 80% of married women
that consult the hospital are concerned. The same applies
to other localities in the health zone of Walikale.
For further information please visit the website:
http://www.rdc-humanitaire.net
Contacts :
- Narciso Rosa-Berlanga, Humanitarian Affairs Officer,
rosa-berlanga@un.org , +243 819 889 196
- Ivo Brandau, Information Officer, brandau@un.org, +243
815 142 956
- Noel Tsekouras, Desk Officer OCHA New York,
tsekouras@un.org, + 1 917 367 93 67
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