OCHA Situation Report No. 2
Democratic Republic of Congo - Humanitarian Crisis in Bandundu and 
  Western Kasai Provinces
21 April 2004


This report is based on information provided by the OCHA DRC team.

Situation

1. The humanitarian needs of Congolese expelled from Angola continues to
be of concern. As of 20 April, some 67,000 Congolese have been registered
by local crisis committees in Bandundu and Western Kasai Provinces, DRC as
indicated in the table below.

|--------------------------+----------------------|
|                          | Total No. of         |
| Entry Points             | Congolese Registered |
|--------------------------+----------------------|
| Kahungula, Bandundu      |               28,000 |
|--------------------------+----------------------|
| Kamako, Western Kasai    |                1,700 |
|--------------------------+----------------------|
| Kabwakala, Western Kasai |               20,081 |
|--------------------------+----------------------|
| Kanzaji, Western Kasai   |               13,008 |
|--------------------------+----------------------|
| Kabungu(es), Western     |                 4216 |
| Kasai                    |                      |
|--------------------------+----------------------|
| Total                    |               67,005 |
|--------------------------+----------------------|


2. However, these numbers do not account for the thousands who do not pass
through registration points.  Observers estimate between 80,000 to 100,000
Congolese are being expelled into these two provinces.

3. OCHA continues to receive numerous reports of physical and
psychological abuse of Congolese civilians reportedly perpetrated by
Angolan security forces.  Searching for hidden diamonds, security forces
are allegedly conducting public and unhygienic internal body searches on
adults and children before they are forced to cross the river into Congo.
OCHA has also received reports of rape, cruel, inhuman and degrading
treatment, theft of personal belongings, arbitrary detention and killings.

4. Health and psychological support remains a major concern.  These
civilians, some of whom have never set foot in Congo, arrive traumatised
from their ordeal and with little, if any, means to support themselves.
Some have reported walking more than 100km to arrive, while the sick and
weak are often left behind.

5. According to Angolan authorities, approximately 100,000 illegal
immigrants are to be expelled in 2004, out of an estimated 500,000 living
in Angola.


Immediate Needs

6. OCHA led an inter-agency mission on 19 April to Tshikapa in Western
Kasai Province.  Mission participants included UNHCR, UNICEF, OHCHR, OCHA,
CRS, Caritas and representatives from the Congolese Ministry of Solidarity
and Humanitarian Affairs and Ministry of the Interior.

7. Mission participants agreed on the following urgent humanitarian
priorities for the affected zones in Bandundu and Western Kasai Provinces:

a. increased international operational capacity
b. food
c. health (including psychological support)
d. water
e. transport


National and International Response

8. The Ministry of Solidarity and Humanitarian Affairs announced that it
will open two humanitarian crisis cells in the affected zones.

9. MSF-Belgium, currently the main operational partner on the ground,
provides medical screening and distribution of Oral Rehydration Salts
(ORS), high energy biscuits, and drinking water at the Kahungula, Bandundu
Province entry point.  MSF-B also provides logistics support for the river
transfer and rehabilitation of the landing strip in Kahungula.  In Tembo
(90km north of Kahungula), Bandundu Province, MSF-B is providing
transport, logistics and storage support.  MSF-B has set-up health care
assistance and logistical support in the Kamoni, Western Kasai Province.  
MSF-B plans to issue a report with victim testimonies.

10. UNICEF is providing non-food items and medical and water/sanitation
equipment for an estimated 35,000 people.  NFIs include: 70 MT of soap,
70,000 blankets, 35,000 jerry cans, and 8 tents (70m3).

11. OCHA is facilitating the dispatch of relief and survival items
(donated by Italy) from the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Brindisi,
Italy. Items include tents, blankets, generators, boats, and jerry cans.
These items, valued at US $110,000 will be distributed by UNICEF.

12. CRS plans to begin activities in Kahungula, Bandundu Province on 23
April as a UNICEF operational partner.

13. OCHA DRC has organised, led and financed two interagency missions to
the affected zones (Tembo, Bandundu Province and Tshikapa, Western Kasai
Province).  Advocacy efforts to mobilise assistance and ensure protection
are on-going.  To ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance to
Kahungula, Bandundu Province, the Humanitarian Coordinator will use the
OCHA Emergency Humanitarian Intervention fund to support MSF-B and local
partners in the rehabilitation of the airplane landing strip in Kahungula
and in distribution of non food items.

14.  OCHA Angola is organising an assessment mission from Malange to
Lurema and the border between Luanda Norte and Congo on 22 April. Mission
participants include OCHA, UNICEF, MSF-Holland, UNSECOORD, and UNTCAH. The
mission is expected to reach Luremo on 24 April. OCHA Angola will deploy
an Emergency Officer and national staff to Congo as of 24 April.

15. The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has asked the UN
Humanitarian / Resident Coordinator, Kinshasa for international aid in
support of the UN and the Government's relief efforts to support the
populations affected by this crisis.

16. The HC/RC also requests that OCHA act as a channel for donor
contributions.  OCHA is prepared to serve as a channel for cash
contributions to be used for immediate relief assistance, in coordination
with relevant organizations in the United Nations system. For banking
details please contact the Desk Officers indicated below.  OCHA provides
donors with written confirmation and pertinent details concerning the
utilization of the funds contributed.

17. OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the UN Resident
Coordinator in Democratic Republic of Congo and will revert with further
information as it becomes available.

This situation report, together with further information on other ongoing
emergencies is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int.

Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917-0023
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917-2010

Desk Officers:
  Ms. Ritu Prasad, direct Tel. +41-22-917-2980
  Mr. Michel Kassa, direct Tel. +41-22-917-2163

Press contact:
  GVA - Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917-2653
  NYC - Ms. Stephanie Bunker, direct Tel. +1-212-963-8740


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