Humanitarian Situation Update n°3: 20-26 September 2008

o HIGHLIGHTS

¾ Renewed Clashes in , and Walikale territories ¾ Humanitarian transports seized by soldiers and used for military purposes ¾ 65 percent of 100,000 new IDPs have returned, estimates say ¾ Early warning on cholera in Rutshuru and Ngungu

SECURITY AND POLITICAL CONTEXT

¾ Clashes between CNDP and FARDC: On Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st September FARDC clashed with CNDP in Sake between Masisi and . The fighting caused new displacement of people from Sake and surrounding villages. ¾ Fighting around Rutshuru: On 21st September, CNDP launched an attack on FARDC positions in Rugarama north-east of Rutshuru. People in nearby villages fled towards , Rutshuru centre and Kiwanja. FARDC and CNDP also clashed south of Bambu some 30 km from Rutshuru on 24th and 25th September. ¾ Exchange of fire PARECO/FARDC in Walikale: PARECO clashed with FARDC troops on 24th September in and the local population, gripped by panic, deserted the villages Vuhoyo and Kamandi Gite and sought refuge in the bush. ¾ Clashes north-west of Mweso: In Kashuga, north-west of Mweso () clashes were reported between FARDC and CNDP on 24th September. However, the situation was calm the following day. ¾ Fighting in Tongo: On 25th September, MONUC sources reported clashes between CNDP and FARDC in Tongo some 15 km west of Rutshuru town. ¾ Demonstrations in Goma: A mourning ceremony of wives and widows of FARDC soldiers turned into demonstrations on Sunday 21st September in Goma and provoked looting and attacks on petrol stations.

HUMANITARIAN SITUATION

¾ Return of 65 percent of 100,000 newly displaced: Converging field reports and other information gathering indicate that approximately 65 percent of the 100,000 people who have been displaced since the flare-up of the conflict late August have returned to their places of origin. The return movement continues. ¾ Militaries take possession of humanitarian trucks, violate IHL: Three security incidents against humanitarian vehicles were reported: On 23rd September a vehicle belonging to an international NGO was attacked by five unidentified armed men close to Burai (on the border between Walikale and Masisi territories). The passengers were searched and their personal effects stolen. On 24th September, soldiers took possession of a humanitarian truck near Rugari and in another incident, trucks from an international NGO were taken by militaries to transport war-wounded in Nyanzale. ¾ Humanitarians forced to scale back in Masisi: In Masisi town, humanitarian organisations have been forced to scale down activities following the evacuation of non-essential humanitarian staff. In addition, after clashes in Sake (between Goma and Masisi) movements of humanitarian UN agencies have been suspended.

Displacements

¾ Rutshuru territory: An international NGO reports the arrival of over 500 households in Tongo and Kabizo IDP sites in Rutshuru territory. ¾ Rutshuru: According to statistics from RRM/Solidarites there are a total of 580 IDP households in sites along the Kiwanja-Rutshuru axis. ¾ Goma: According to preliminary registrations, there are a total of 1,913 newly arrived IDPs in 5 camps (managed and spontaneous) around Goma.

Humanitarian Situation Update n°3: North Kivu 20-26 September 2008 Protection

¾ Soldiers in camps: Armed elements/soldiers have been observed in the Mugunga I and II IDP camps in Goma. This jeopardizes the civilian character of the camps. ¾ SGBV: An International NGO reported an average of 25 cases of sexual violence registered daily in .

Health

¾ Mobile clinic provides health services to conflict victims: The international NGO Heal Africa provided medical assistance to victims of the conflict in Sake on 20th September (war-wounded, survivors of sexual violence etc). A team of 6 doctors and 9 nurses provided services to the civilian population and wounded FARDC soldiers. ¾ Measles campaign targeting children: IMC launched a measles campaign in IDP camps in Goma and Rutshuru on the 25th September ¾ The Health Clusters reports that MSF-H has established 2 health posts in the IDP sites Kahe and Mongote in Kitchanga.

Watsan

¾ Water supply restored in Rutshuru: In Rutshuru, an international NGO has been working on the restoration of the water supply which is now functioning.

Education

¾ Kits and capacity building to schools with IDP children: The international NGO JRS, with support from the Pool Fund, has begun a project targeting 15 out of 50 schools with a high concentration of IDP children in Rutshuru territory. The assistance consists of school kits, rehabilitation of infrastructure and capacity building.

Inter-agency assessment mission

¾ Ngungu: A mission of watsan and health teams to asses the situation in the IDP camp in Ngungu (MONUC base) is expected to leave Saturday 27th September. This is a follow-up to the rapid assessment mission on 19th September.

Early warning

¾ Demonstrations expected: As part of the disengagement Plan, FARDC troops began 26th September a staged withdrawal of troops from Rutshuru. The process could take around 5 days after which CNDP militaries will withdraw. However, demonstrations by the population in Rutshuru protesting against FARDC withdrawal are expected over the coming days. ¾ Sanitary alarm in Kitchanga: Local authorities in Kitchanga sound an alarm over deteriorating sanitary conditions for returning populations and IDPs. According to the same source, close to 2000 households have returned from Goma to Kitchanga and the water and sanitation infrastructure is overstretched. ¾ Cholera alert: Pending confirmation of suspected cases, Rutshuru is still considered a potential flashpoint for a cholera outbreak. 20 new cases have been reported in the Health Centre Buturande. Ngungu is also on cholera watch following notification of 50 suspected cases of which 7 had died.

Press Contact OCHA North Kivu Patrick Lavand’homme, Head of Office [email protected] +243 819 889 149 Jens Laerke, Public Information Officer [email protected] +243 819 889 157 Press contact OCHA Kinshasa Christophe Illemassene [email protected] +243 819 889 195 Ivo Brandau [email protected] +243 815 142 956 Desk Officers New York Arzu Hatakoy [email protected] +1 917 367 2192 Noel Tsekouras [email protected] +1 917 367 9367 Press contact New York Stephanie Bunker [email protected] + 1 917 367 5126 Press contact Geneva Elizabeth Byrs [email protected] +41 22 917 2653