OCHA Situation Report
DR Congo
21 - 27 August 2004


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

This report does not necessarily reflect the official position of the
United Nations.

Weekly Highlights

45-55,000 accessible IDPs still without urgent humanitarian assistance in
Mahagi Territory, Ituri District

12,500 returnees in south-western Maniema Province urgently need
reinstallation assistance, interagency mission concludes.

Thousands of civilians continue to be affected by FDLR attacks in the
Kahuzi-Biega National Park region, South-Kivu Province; 13,000 people are
estimated to be currently displaced by these attacks.

Thousands of former Congolese refugees living in Uganda reportedly return
to Ituri District, Orientale Province.


General Context

Chief of Staff of the National Army names new deputy of the South-Kivu
military region to replace the insurgent Jules Mutebusi; according to
MONUC, Mutebusi and his armed group, who are currently located in Rwanda,
have recently been moved away from the DRC border into the interior of
that country.

Clashes between the FNI and FAPC in Kanyara, Mahagi Territory are reported
this week.

The situation in Kisangani, Orientale Province is somewhat tense this week
with student demonstrations and attacks targeting the RCD-G office and
members of this former rebel group.


Coordination / Interagency Missions

A rapid interagency mission is organized to Buta, Province Orientale.

OCHA in Bukavu works with partners to update the contingency plan for
South-Kivu Province.

Interagency mission evaluates humanitarian situation in Sota and Badiya,
Irumu Territory, Ituri District.


Population Movements / Vulnerable Groups / Emergency Assistance

220 IDP families living in Samba (Kasongo Territory), Maniema Province
have reportedly never received assistance and are having difficulties
coping.

Protection / Human Rights / Advocacy / Humanitarian Access


SGBV:

10 women from villages near Kama (Pangi Territory), Maniema were
reportedly captured by Interahamwe and taken into the forest into
South-Kivu Province.

Several cases of rape have been reported in the Kibombo region of Maniema
Province; INGO COOPI has recently opened a base in Kibombo to provide
psycho-social assistance to victims.

INGO IRC launches medical and psycho-social program for IDPs who are
victims of SGBV in Kalehe, South-Kivu Province.


Child Protection:

According to local Child Protection networks, former child soldiers who
have been reunified with families are being re-enrolled into the army.

Armed groups linked to the Mayi-Mayi are reportedly terrorizing the
civilian population living around Tunda (Kibombo Territory), Maniema
Province.

The civilian population in Maniema Province is reportedly besieged by
extortion and illegal taxes levied by local authorities.

OCHA in Kisangani requests the commander of the 9th military region,
General Padiri, for unrestricted access to Bafwasende Territory, Orientale
Province in favor of the INGO Premiere Urgence; OCHA reminds Padiri of its
previous request for unimpeded humanitarian access to the Lubutu-Walikale
axis where a cholera epidemic is currently raging.


Access (physical)

INGO German Agro Action (GAA) visits Maniema Province to evaluate the
situation of roads.

INGO Premiere Urgence launches road opening project in Bafwasende
Territory, Province Orientale, financed through OCHA's Emergency
Humanitarian Interventions (EHI).


Nutrition / Food Security

INGO Food for the Hungry International (FHI) opens a base in Kindu and
Kalima, Maniema Province; the INGO plans to develop a food security
program for Pangi and Kailo Territories.

INGO Premiere Urgence launches USAID/OFDA funded food security program in
previously unassisted Bafwasende Territory, Orientale Province; 14,000
families are expected to benefit from this assistance.


Health / Water and Sanitation

Rapid evaluation mission finds emergency health and wat/san problems for
the population of Buta, Bas-Uele, Province Orientale.


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