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DR Congo

DR Congo: OCHA North Kivu Humanitarian Situation Update, 10 - 16 May 2008

Number of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) :

Since December 2006 : 523,000 (Mainly in Rutshuru and Masisi districts)

Total estimated number for entire North Kivu : 847,000

HIGHLIGHTS

Most of reported clashes are taking place between FDLR and FARDC.

South Lubero and Rutshuru are the main territories in North Kivu registering clashes, looting and kidnapping.

Masisi territory remained relatively calm over last week.

SECURITY AND POLITICAL CONTEXT

Four clashes between armed groups (FDLR-FARDC and CNDP/PARECO) took place in Rutshuru territory last week, as reported by MONUC.

In addition to clashes between several armed groups, Rutshuru territory registers a high number of exactions: commercial vehicles were looted in Kinyandoni, civilians disappeared in Kiwanja and others were assassinated in Kiseguru during the reporting period.

Some elements of the 11th FARDC Battalion to be deployed in Nyabiondo (North Masisi) in the frame of the 'Nairobi Communiqué' were delayed by PARECO in Kashebere.

The 21st FARDC Battalion deployed in Mpofi (Walikale territory) is already effective.

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION

Alarming situations / Early warning

Health - cholera: high mortality rate due to cholera (12 deaths in one week) was reported last April in Pinga Health Zone (North Masisi). A lack of potable water is presumably the cause of the increased number of cholera cases. Note that this Health Zone is particularly vulnerable as the global acute malnutrition rate is 17%, dramatically above the emergency threshold of 10%.

Even though the mortality rate in Mweso Health Zone is low due to appropriate health cares the number of registered cases is alarming: 159 new cases for week 19 (5-11 May). Lack of use of potable water could be one of the reasons for this deterioration. Furthermore population is still reported to drink water from river despite treated potable water provided by humanitarian partners. Water and sanitation sensitization is ongoing.

Humanitarian assistance

Health: the national three-day polio vaccination campaign started on 15 May. This campaign targeting 1,171,000 children between 0-5 years of age in North Kivu (6,791,000 children for the whole country) is supported by WHO (technical support, planning and operational costs) and UNICEF (vaccines, fridges to store vaccines, some operational costs). Vitamin A and mebendazole (de-worming) are also administrated.

Food: the World Food Programme and its implementing partner Caritas carried out a food distribution in Rutshuru territory for 7,500 IDPs households (about 37 500 IDPs). Discussions between FAO, WFP, OCHA and Government are still ongoing to find alternative solutions regarding WFP's pipeline's difficulties in the frame of global food crisis.

Nutrition: UNICEF delivered 2,000 kgs of therapeutic milk to therapeutic feeding centers in four health zones of Masisi and Rutshuru territories. From 9-16 May, 284 severely malnourished children cases were admitted to UNICEF therapeutic feeding centers for treatment.

Non food items (NFI): UNICEF and its Rapid Response Mechanism Partner Solidarités completed the distribution of NFI to 650 IDPs households in Cantine (South Lubero). The majority of these IDPs arrived last March. - UNICEF and its other Rapid Response Mechanism Partner IRC carried out a NFI distribution for IDPs settled in public buildings in Rutshuru and Kiwanja towns.

Water and sanitation: UNICEF partner Mercy Corps installed two new 20m3 water bladders in Rutshuru town area to counter the cholera outbreak.

Education: UNICEF and its Rapid Response Mechanism Partner Solidarités completed the construction of 12 emergency classrooms for 735 students in Kitchanga (West Rusthuru territory). - Protection: UNICEF partner Save the Children reunified 13 children formerly associated with armed groups in South Lubero. 11 children recently separated from armed groups have been placed in host families in Kirumba (South Lubero).

The INGO MERLIN completed a five-day training on sexual violence to FDLR in South Lubero. Causes and consequences of sexual violence, sexual transmitted diseases, as well as HIV/Aids were addressed.

Contacts:

Patrick Lavand'homme, Head of Office, Goma (North Kivu), OCHA-DR Congo, Email: lavandhomme@un.org

Caroline Draveny, Public Information Officer (North Kivu), OCHA-DR Congo, Email: draveny@un.org Tel: +243 (0) 819 889

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