OCHA Situation Report
DR Congo: North Kivu
14 September 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

In the past week, although skirmishes have been reported almost daily,
no major armed confrontations have been registered in Masisi and
Rutshuru territories. Humanitarian workers have used the window of
opportunity to reach areas that have remained inaccessible since the
fighting that erupted in the last week of August. However, the
uncertainty of the situation remains the major obstacle to the delivery
of relief aid to populations in Masisi and Rutshuru. CONTEXT

No major breach of the cessation of hostilities has been reported since
6th September, but troop movements are observed in many places. At this
point, around one quarter of all Congolese army is deployed in North
Kivu province. The situation in Goma remains calm.

Targeted assassinations have been reported like the murder of the Chef
de Village a.i. of Nyamilima on 12th September.

During a press conference with national media on 13th September,
President Joseph Kabila rejected negotiations with Laurent Nkunda.


POPULATION MOVEMENTS

Reports of population movements/displacements are received daily, but
overall scope of movements, duration of displacement and duration
remains extremely difficult to confirm due to access restriction.

Latest reports indicate the following movements (mostly in Masisi
district, except for Nyanzale in Rutshuru)

- Buguri (east of Masisi town): 6,000 persons
- Kitchanga: 400 families in schools, 800 persons around MONUC base
- Nyanzale (Rutshuru district): no number available


HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

As of 14th September, 12,944 displaced families have been registered in
Mugunga and Bulengo, 15 km west of Goma. Humanitarian organisations will
carry out verification of numbers of registered families once food aid
distribution is completed at the weekend and in order to better identify
gaps in assistance and cases of double registration.

Also, UNHCR, Norwegian Refugee Council, UNICEF, Solidarites and OCHA are
working with local authorities on the identification of alternative
areas where displaced families can be placed. The large number of
families currently in Mugunga poses risk for hygiene and water borne
diseases (diarrhoea and cholera are a serious concern).

Solidarites conducted an assessment mission in Mushaki (12 km north of
Sake) on 13th September. 1,350 displaced families were registered, their
conditions are precarious and assistance is being organised to Mushaki
as a priority.  Solidarites is planning to deliver non-food item kits
over the weekend if security conditions allow it.

In Bweremana and Bitonga (south of Sake towards South Kivu), 3,414
displaced families coming from Masisi were registered, they have
received non-food/shelter kits distributed by Solidarites. Movements of
populations from North to South Kivu are being jointly monitored by
humanitarian organisations working in the two provinces.

Contacts:

Patrick Lavand'homme, Head of Office, Goma (North Kivu), OCHA-DR Congo
Email: lavandhomme@un.org
Tel: +243 (0) 819 889 165

Christophe Illemassene, Senior Public Information Officer, Kinshasa,
OCHA-DR Congo
Email: illemassene@un.org
Tel: +243 (0) 819 889 195

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