Great Lakes Region - OFDA: 31.Jul.98
Great Lakes Region - OFDA: 31.Jul.98
U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BUREAU FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE (BHR)
OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA)
GREAT LAKES - Complex Emergency
Situation Report #7, Fiscal Year (FY) 1998 July 30, 1998
Note: The last situation report was dated June 4, 1998.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (DROC)
Provincial Authorities Request Resumption of Humanitarian Aid in North
Kivu
In May, provincial authorities of North Kivu requested that the U.N. and
other humanitarian organizations resume their assistance to internally
displaced persons (IDPs) in the region. Provincial authorities also
indicated that they would try to improve the security environment to allow
access to the various target populations. Since November 1997, the IDPs
in North Kivu have not received any substantial humanitarian assistance
due to security restrictions imposed by the North Kivu authorities.
In follow-up to the above request for assistance, the World Food Program
(WFP) carried out an assessment mission along the Goma- Rutshuru axis on
June 16. It identified 40,000 IDPs along the corridor and determined that
the majority were people who had fled fighting in the area (80%) and
ethnic Tutsis who had been encamped in Masisi and Mudende, Rwanda (20%).
Potable water was identified as a priority need. WFP began distributing
food to 45, 000 persons in North Kivu during the week of June 20.
MDM Employee Released by DROC Authorities
A Medecins du Monde (MDM) aid worker was released on July 11 after being
detained by Agence nationale de renseignement (ANR) officials since May 4
on suspicion of being a Serbian mercenary in Kisangani prior to the ADFL
takeover of Kisangani in 1997. The aid worker was arrested at the Goma
airport and then transferred to Kinshasa for detention. In reaction to
the arrest, MDM suspended its in-country operations.
U.N. Human Rights Report Released The "Report of the Secretary General's
Investigative Team Charged with Investigating Serious Violations of Human
Rights and International Humanitarian Law in the DROC" was publically
released on June 30. The report states that the Government of the DROC
(GDROC) "failed to give [the inquiry] its full and entire cooperation" and
that as a result, most of the specific allegations of human rights abuses
could not be verified. However, the report confirms that general
conclusions can be drawn from evidence obtained from the investigative
mission as to which forces participated in mass killings, at what times,
and in what locations.
The Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire
(ADFL) was cited in the report for conducting mass killings of Rwandan
Hutu refugees and Congolese (Hutu) civilians during its campaign to
overthrow the late dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. In addition, the report
implicates the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) and the Armed Forces of Zaire
(FAZ) for their involvement in the killings. Due to lack of evidence,
resulting from the team's inability to conduct a thorough investigation,
the report stops short of calling the killings genocide. The Security
Council has called upon the GDROC and GOR to investigate without delay the
allegations contained in the report. Further action by the Security
Council has been deferred at this point in time.
RWANDA
WFP Steps Up Food Distributions in Rwanda
WFP is conducting an emergency food distribution for more than 100,000
displaced Rwandans in Gisenyi and Ruhengeri prefectures. The
distributions began the week of June 1 and will continue through the first
part of August. In total, 1,200 MTs of food aid will be distributed. WFP
monitoring of food distributions in the northwest has improved recently as
a result of 1) increased coordination with prefectural and communal
authorities and the military; 2) increased WFP staff in Gisenyi, including
the placement of a public health officer; and 3) recent partnerships with
the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) and Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) in
nutritional screening, monitoring, and programs. WFP just completed a
simultaneous food distribution program in Gikongoro prefecture, delivering
502 MTs to 12,254 households.
A crop assessment conducted by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO), Ministry of Agriculture, and WFP from May 27 to June 9 indicates
that the 1998B season harvest has improved the food security situation
throughout Rwanda. Food distributions in the northwest have also
benefitted the situation. The assessment team noted that the low
availability of agricultural labor and the lack of quality seeds are the
major constraints currently hampering agricultural production in Rwanda.
In the northwest, food assistance is indirectly leading to a resumption of
agricultural activity as more and more IDPs return home to take advantage
of food distributions. Humanitarian agencies find this turn of events
encouraging given the low level of planting that is currently taking place
away from the main Gisenyi- Ruhengeri road. BHR/OFDA has issued a grant
to Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to provide seeds and tools to 11,000
families in Mutura commune of Gisenyi prefecture. The FAO has a similar
initiative underway also in Gisenyi prefecture. Such measures will help
families to resume their livelihoods and to counter low agricultural
yields, which may be experienced well into the 1999A harvest season.
USAID Officials Visit Gisenyi On June 30, USAID officials traveled to
Mutura, Rwerere, Kanama, and Rubavu communes in Gisenyi prefecture. The
team traveled with the WFP country director, the sous prefect, and the
military commander of Gisenyi. They confirmed that displaced persons in
Gisenyi total approximately 70,000, including: 1) old caseload returnees
in Nkamira transit camp (4,500) and Bigogwe camp (15,000); 2) displaced
persons in Kanama (4,000), Mutura (5,000), Rwerere (11,000), Rubavu
(7,000), Kayove (5,000), and other communes in the southeastern portion of
the prefecture; and 3) returning displaced persons from the volcanoes
north of Mutura and the Rwerere (8,000-11,000).
The USAID officials observed severe malnutrition among children under
eight in the IDP camps visited. NGO and Ministry of Health staff
identified upper respiratory infections, malaria, anemia, and diarrhea as
contributing to high levels of morbidity and mortality in this population.
The extent of these health problems and the percentage of the population
in need of health-related assistance were not ascertainable. The Ministry
of Health has conducted recent surveys to measure the extent of
malnutrition, but the reliability of those are questionable. The USAID
team conservatively estimated that 15-20 percent of the populations in
Mutura's town center and the Kanzenze displaced persons camp in Rwerere
were severely malnourished -- while the majority of the remaining 80-85
percent were moderately or mildly malnourished. Other locations are
similarly affected. Health facilities with significantly curtailed
operations -- owing to the precarious security situation -- further
complicate matters.
Armed Attacks on the Rise Several major clashes have occurred between
government troops and rebel forces within recent weeks. On July 25, Radio
Rwanda reported that a rebel attack in Byumba prefecture resulted in the
death of 40 rebels. Days prior to that, a total of 250 rebels were killed
during two separate clashes in the northwest -- one near Giciye (Gisenyi)
and another near Ruhengeri in which Lieutenant Colonel Leonard Nkundiye, a
rebel commander, was killed. Following the death of Nkundiye, Radio
Rwanda reported on July 28 that approximately 15,000 Hutu civilians had
fled rebel strongholds in Ruhengeri.
In addition, rebels have conducted several attacks against civilians
recently. On June 22, rebels attacked a school bus in Kivumu commune of
Kibuye prefecture as it was bound for Kigali. Of 100 passengers on board,
18 were killed and 40 were wounded. According to local radio broadcasts,
three children were among the dead and four others were among the wounded.
A rebel contingent also attacked the Nkamira transit camp in Mutura
commune of Gisenyi prefecture on June 17. According to GOR officials,
rebels killed 52 civilians and wounded 61. Civilian counts put the death
toll at 40 and the number of wounded at 100. Hospital officials confirm
that at least 55 children were among those wounded. In total, the camp
houses 4, 500 old caseload returnees.
Furthermore, rebels attacked the Kinihira refugee camp in Kayove commune
of Gisenyi prefecture on June 9. Radio Rwanda reports that the attackers
numbered 1,000 and included men, women, and children. At least 29 people
were killed and 20 others were injured.
Community Celebration Illustrates Success of USAID's Women in Transition
Initiative BHR/OTI's (Office of Transition Initiatives)
Women in Transition (WIT) program is an initiative aimed to help the many
Rwandan women who became heads of household following the 1994 genocide.
The objectives of the initiative are to help women meet their most
immediate needs and to assist them in rebuilding their lives, families,
and communities. The WIT program in Rwanda became fully operational in
June 1996. In two short years, the program has funded 911 locally-driven
projects, benefitting approximately 111,869 persons in 74 communes
throughout eight different prefectures. In total, approximately $2.3
million has been committed to advance agricultural production, shelter
needs, small animal restocking, and micro-enterprise.
UNHRFOR Mission Terminated On July 16, following an impasse over an
agreement on the new mandate for the U.N. Human Rights Field Operation in
Rwanda (UNHRFOR), the U.N. announced that it will pull out its human
rights observers from Rwanda by the end of July. The UNHRFOR has been in
effect since July 1994 when it was created at the request of the GOR for
the monitoring of human rights. The impasse results from disagreement
over whether or not the new mandate should continue to include monitoring
as a key component of the mission's strategy. With the establishment of
its National Human Rights Commission, the GOR wants to resume full
responsibility for monitoring the country's human rights situation. The
U.N., however, feels strongly that the most successful human rights
strategy would include monitoring as well as community education,
training, and institution-building.
BURUNDI
Constitutional Reforms Lead to New Government Postings
Following various constitutional reforms, Pierre Buyoya was sworn in as
the president of Burundi on June 11. By June 13, Buyoya had ushered in a
new cabinet comprising 11 opposition members and had approved a
transitional constitution merging the 1993 constitution with the statutory
law that was decreed in 1996 when he came to power. The revised
constitution calls for replacing the prime minister's post with two
vice-presidents, reducing the general size of the government, and
expanding representation within parliament by adding 40 new members.
Former president of the Hutu-dominated FRODEBU parliamentary group
Frederic Bamvuginyumvira and UPRONA member Mathias Sinamenye were
appointed to the vice presidential posts. The former is first in line to
assume the presidency should the need arise. On July 16, 37 new
parliamentary members representing various political parties and different
facets of civil society were sworn in. Only four of the 121 seats remain
unfilled.
Initial Peace Talks End in Success
The first round of Burundian peace talks concluded on June 21, following
one week of closed-door meetings in Arusha. The talks were hailed as a
success for bringing together 17 different factions that engaged in
constructive dialogue and committed themselves to return to the
negotiating table in one month. In addition, the various parties at the
peace talks agreed to a suspension of hostilities, effective no later than
July 20_the scheduled date for the second round of talks.
Following the Arusha talks, the U.S. State Department issued a statement
describing the dialogue as a "very positive and significant step" in the
peace process. In addition, the statement praised the Burundian
government and parliament for their "commitment to the external peace
process," and urged "regional leaders to send a positive signal to the
government of Burundi encouraging it to stay the course of negotiations."
The army contends that it is not bound by the agreement reached in Arusha
because it has the responsibility to protect the country's population and
national sovereignty. The Forces for the Defense of Democracy (FDD), the
armed wing of the National Council for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD), on
the other hand, claims that it does not recognize Leonard Nyangoma as the
leader of the CNDD. And, as a result, asserts that it is not bound by any
agreements that Nyangoma makes.
The second round of peace talks began in Arusha on July 21, following a
one-day delay due to organizational and procedural concerns. A plenary
discussion began on July 25 to discuss the nature of the Burundi conflict;
however, other progress was hampered by continued disagreement over
expressed concerns. The second round of peace talks ended on July 29.
The various political parties agreed to return to the negotiating table on
October 12.
Insecurity Continues in Burundi Despite Progress Made in Arusha
On June 27, days after peace talks ended, government troops attacked a
rebel position near Kiderege in Bujumbura Rural. Burundi army officials
report that 49 rebels and one soldier were killed during the assault.
Additional fighting has taken place between government troops and rebel
forces in Makamba province. According to state radio broadcasts, two
separate attacks on July 4 resulted in the death of at least 19 people,
including 10 rebels. State radio also reports the death of another 21
civilians in rebel attacks that took place on July 6 and 7 in Mabanda and
Kinoso towns, respectively. During the latter two incidences, rebels
stole cattle and set homes on fire.
Several reports indicate that more than 2,000 rebels have amassed in
Bubanza province, where attacks are also on the rise. On July 11, an
unmarked vehicle carrying two Burundian employees of the Austrian Relief
Programme was ambushed in Gihanga commune. One passenger is confirmed
dead and the other is feared to be dead. On July 13, a local aid worker
from Children's Aid Direct (CAD) was injured when rebels stopped his
public transport vehicle at a phony roadblock near Mitakataka commune.
Military escorts are now required by the U.N. to accompany all missions
into the province.
A third attack against a relief worker was perpetrated on July 23 when a
WFP employee was shot to death in his own home by three unknown
assailants. The victim had worked for the U.N. for 27 years. His death
marks the sixth killing of a WFP staff member this year and the third this
month.
Food Insecurity Continues to Plague Burundi
According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs, more than 420,000 Burundians are displaced from their homes and
are in need of humanitarian assistance. UNICEF reports that 50,000 people
are suffering from malnutrition in the country and that they are being
treated in 248 feeding centers throughout the country. While there has
been no country-wide survey to measure the extent of malnutrition, CAD and
Concern have completed surveys in the western provinces of Bubanza and
Cibitoke. Results from their surveys indicate that the level of global
acute malnutrition ranges from 14.7 percent to 25 percent, with severe
malnutrition ranging from 3.1 percent to 10.5 percent. A January survey
performed in Gitega by OXFAM yielded similar levels of severe and global
acute malnutrition. Percentages may in fact be higher than those listed
above because sampling took place only among those people who were located
in accessible and relatively secure environments. WFP is planning to
undertake emergency food distributions (30-day rations) at supplementary
feeding centers in areas where the security situation allows such a
response.
New Protocol Adopted in the Nutrition Sector
A new supplementary feeding protocol, drafted by UNICEF, Burundi's
Ministry of Health, and NGOs working in the nutrition sector, became
effective on July 1, 1998. The protocol was instituted to standardize
weight for height measures, admission and discharge criteria for feeding
centers, methodology, and reporting mechanisms. The new protocol also
addresses the need to strengthen local outreach programs and vitamin
supplementation. Specifically, the protocol calls for the provision of
six days worth of dry rations and one wet feeding per week. A draft
protocol is currently being reviewed by the humanitarian community for
therapeutic feeding.
OCHA Cites a Drop in Burundi's Displaced Population Despite a New Outflow
in Bujumbura Rural
According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA), the displaced population in Burundi equals 420,000. This figure
is down from an OCHA figure of 650,000 in May 1998. According to OCHA,
over 70% of those displaced are in the insecure western provinces of
Cibitoke, Bubanza, Bujumbura Rural, Bururi, and Makamba. According to
OCHA, a small-scale, decentralized form of regroupment may account for a
portion of the displaced population. Although regroupment in the
strictest sense ended in January 1998 when the camps closed in Karuzi,
Kayanza, and Muramvya provinces, regroupment appears to still be taking
place in a less systematic and formal manner as authorities forcefully
round up persons at night for security concerns.
As a result of clashes between the Burundian army and rebel forces near
Mutambu commune during the night of July 22, the governor of Bujumbura
Rural reports that approximately 2,000 to 3,000 people have fled their
homes for security concerns.
TANZANIA
Mbuba Transit Facility Grows Beyond Capacity
Mbuba transit facility was originally designed to hold 600 persons. It
was renovated twice to accommodate 2,000 residents, and currently
maintains more than 4,000. UNHCR has petitioned the Government of
Tanzania (GOT) for additional land around Mbuba to further expand the
facility. In addition, UNHCR has lobbied the GOT to re-establish a
Rwandan refugee camp. Such a camp is not likely to be approved until the
GOT has had a chance to screen the newly arrived caseload.
USG ASSISTANCE
Disaster Declarations Issued
Ambassador Robert E. Gribbin III redeclared a disaster in Rwanda on
October 2, Ambassador Morris N. Hughes, Jr. redeclared a disaster in
Burundi on October 9, and Ambassador Daniel H. Simpson redeclared a
disaster in the DROC on October 16. Their declarations allow continued
USAID humanitarian assistance in the region during FY 1998 to help
alleviate ongoing suffering in the aftermath of civil strife. On December
24, Ambassador Simpson declared a flood disaster when the Congo river
overflowed its banks, affecting Orientale and Equateur provinces.
Subsequently, on April 14, Ambassador Simpson declared a flood disaster in
Kinshasa, thus enabling USG assistance to be provided to residents in
Matete commune whose homes were buried by sand as a result of flash
flooding. On March 4, Charge d'Affairs John Lange declared a disaster in
Tanzania after flood waters extensively damaged the national road and rail
network.
BHR/OFDA deployed a USAID/Disaster Assessment Response Team (DART) to
Kigali, Rwanda from October 26, 1996 to February 26, 1997, and an
assessment team to Zaire from February 12 to 26, 1997. A USAID/DART was
deployed to eastern DROC from March 14 to June 30, 1997. A BHR/OFDA field
officer worked in Goma from August 4 to December 3 to follow the
humanitarian situation in eastern DROC and to monitor OFDA-funded grants.
BHR/OFDA maintains an Emergency Disaster Relief Coordinator (EDRC) in
Burundi.
Total FY 1998 USG Humanitarian Assistance to Date in the Great Lakes
Region
BHR/OFDA ASSISTANCE:
Eastern DROC
Funds transferred to the U.S. Embassy for a CRS project
to provide potable water to Kisangani $25,000
Funds transferred to the U.S. Embassy for an IFRC airlift
of 20 MTs of non-food items to flood-affected Mbandaka $14,000
Funds transferred to the U.S. Embassy for a CRS
project to remove sand from Matete commune in Kinshasa $25,000
Grant amendment to MERLIN for vaccinations and
emergency medical support in Maniema province $833,434
Grant amendment to FHI for seeds and tools and
agricultural rehabilitation in the Kivus $2,048,260
Grant amendment to AICF/USA for repairs to water
infrastructure in Uvira and Fizi Zones $45,671
Grant to MSF/H to improve the health of populations
affected by civil war in the Kivus $647,019
Grant to AICF/USA for seeds and tools in South Kivu $281,023
Grant to CRS for the removal of sand in Kinshasa $130,902
Grant to WVRD for a health/nutrition program in South Kivu $455,667
Grant to OCHA for humanitarian coordination in the DROC $91,464
Total for Eastern DROC $4,597,440
Burundi
Grant amendment to WVRD for emergency medical
services in Bujumbura $396,703
Grant to MSF/H for a therapeutic feeding center
(TFC) in Kayanza $247,704
Grant amendment to ACF/F for a TFC in
Maramvya (Bujumbura Rurale) $848,425
Grant amendment to IMC for purchase of medications to
treat dysentery $20,000
Grant amendment to Action Aid for shelter
rehabilitation in Ruyigi $769,633
Grant amendment to CARE for food distribution $945,506
Grant amendment to FAO for coordination of seeds and tools $254,000
Grant amendment to IRC for water/sanitation and
seeds distribution $1,684,875
Grant to UNICEF to purchase and distribute TFC products $835,000
Grant to WFP for an emergency airlift to Burundi $401,671
Grant to ACF/F for a TFC in Bubanza province $647,853
Grant to WFP for internal air service in Burundi $665,000
Grant to WVRD for a food security project in Karuzi $606,055
Total for Burundi $8,322,425
Rwanda
Funds transferred to the U.S. Embassy for response
to emergency situations $25,000
Grant amendment to WVRD for an agriculture program $858,411
Grant amendment to ARC for the repair of homes
in Kigali Ville $43,198
Grant to FHI for agricultural assistance in Kibungo $749,000
Grant to SCF/UK for non-food assistance in Kinigi
commune, Ruhengeri prefecture $41,274
Grant to Concern for a program to reunite and
reintegrate unaccompanied children $373,303
Grant to Norwegian People's Aid for emergency medical
assistance in Gisenyi Hospital $614,499
Grant to IRC for a program to reunite and
reintegrate unaccompanied children $276,144
Grant to CRS to provide seeds and tools to 11,000
families in Mutura commune, Gisenyi $167,520
Grant to SCF/UK for a program in emergency primary
health care in Ruhengeri $214,566
Total for Rwanda $3,362,915
Tanzania
Funds transferred to USAID/Tanzania for
emergency road repairs $1,000,000
Total for Tanzania $1,000,000
TOTAL FOR BHR/OFDA $17,282,780
BHR/OTI (OFFICE OF TRANSITION INITIATIVES) ASSISTANCE:
DROC
Political transition programs $7,600,000
Total for DROC $7,600,000
Rwanda
Political transition programs $1,858,000
Total for Rwanda $1,858,000
TOTAL FOR BHR/OTI $9,458,000
BHR/FFP (FOOD FOR PEACE) ASSISTANCE:
Burundi
WFP (Great Lakes) emergency food distribution $15,343,000
Total for Burundi $15,343,000
Rwanda
Monetization programs $10,000,000
Institutional feeding programs $799,500
Vulnerable feeding programs $1,246,400
Transitional assistance programs $4,287,500
WFP (Great Lakes) emergency food distribution $17,705,500
Total for Rwanda $34,038,900
Tanzania
Drought relief program $9,930,700
WFP (Great Lakes) emergency food distribution $2,153,400
Total for Tanzania $12,084,100
TOTAL FOR BHR/FFP $61,466,000
STATE/PRM (POPULATION, REFUGEES, AND MIGRATION) ASSISTANCE
Regional
UNHCR Great Lakes Appeal $13,800,000
UNHCR for refugee screening $1,000,000
UNHCR for Great Lakes Security Packages $1,000,000
Total for Regional $15,800,000
DROC
Cooperative agreement to IRC for assistance to refugees
and Congolese returnees $249,009
Total for DROC $249,009
Rwanda
UNHCR for education $1,500,000
UNHCR for the Rwanda Appeal $9,500,000
Cooperative agreement to IRC for reintegration and
rehabilitation assistance for vulnerables $804,693
Cooperative agreement to ARC for reintegration and
rehabilitation assistance for vulnerables $691,382
Total for Rwanda $12,496,075
Tanzania
Cooperative agreement to IRC for assistance to
Burundi and Congolese refugees $980,528
Total for Tanzania $980,528
Total for State/PRM $29,525,612
TOTAL: $117,732,392
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