DR Congo: OCHA North Kivu Humanitarian Situation Report - 26 Nov 2007

No major security incident have been reported since last Friday, however the situations is still volatile. Following the joint declaration made by FARDC and MONUC last week, there is a general perception that clashes of serious intensity are imminent in Rutshuru and Masisi districts. As of today, access by road to parts of Masisi district is virtually impossible due to bad road conditions. Access to Rutshuru district remains possible for most parts, but humanitarian organisations going in this area must take all precautionary measures due to insecurity.

CONTEXT

Ross Mountain, Humanitarian Coordinator in DRC, visited Goma on 25th November to assess the humanitarian situation and discuss with UN agencies level of preparedness in case the situation of civilians in North Kivu was to further deteriorate as a result of military operations.

No major clashes occurred over the last weekend, however firings were reported on 25th November north of Sake towards Masisi town.

MONUC enhanced its air and land patrols in Goma and Mugunga area to monitor any potential attempt to destabilize the capital city of North Kivu.

POPULATION MOVEMENTS

No population movement reported over the last weekend since the situation remained calm.

HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE

INGO Mercy Corps continues its water and sanitation activities in the camps west of Goma. They will build additional latrines and showers. They will also set up a pumping station in Buhimba to allow water trucks to perform more rotations per day in providing water to the IDPs.

UNHCR and INGO Norwegian Refugee Council completed the transfer of all IDPs from EP Lact Vert site, 15 km west of Goma, to Buhimba and Bulengo. A total of 9,938 persons have been dispatched on both sites.

An INGO reported one death from diarrhoea in Kirolirwe (Masisi district). Consequently, a centre to treat cholera will most likely be opened in the next few days to avoid a spread of the disease.

INGO Oxfam Quebec will set up water chlorination points in several locations on the road between Sake and Minova (Kirotshe Health Zone). Kirotshe HZ has been identified as a priority due to its cholera epidemic curve slightly increasing. Goma’s two health zones are also in an epidemic status, however the curve is decreasing.

Due to difficulties faced to dispatch the food to Masisi town last week, WFP/Caritas decided to suspend further food distributions in the area until the road conditions improve.

INGO COOPI will launch nutritional activities in Binza Health Zone (north of Rutshuru). A nutritional survey was conducted and early indications show a global malnutrition rate above the emergency threshold (10%). Their activities will include support to already existing feeding centres managed by Caritas.