Humanitarian Action in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Weekly Report, 13 November 2009
Humanitarian Action in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Weekly Report, 13 November 2009 Headlines • Approximately 22,000 people flee the Equateur Province due to intercommunal clashes • Humanitarian access hampered in Baraka area, South Kivu, due to the unstable security situation • Approximately 18,000 new households displaced in Geti, Province Orientale, due to abuses by armed groups • Humanitarian activities temporarily suspended in Lubero, North Kivu Overall Developments Protection of Civilians • Protection of civilians remains a high concern in many areas of North Kivu. Armed groups continue to loot villages and to destroy crops, and cases of amputations of limbs have also been reported. This particularly effects the Territories of Masisi and Rutshuru. • In Province Orientale, attacks and human rights abuses against civilians also continue to cause displacement. At the present time, an estimated 456,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are present in the province, this figure being 7,500 higher than that recorded at the end of August. Humanitarian Access • During a demonstration organised by members of the local population on 31 October in Lubero, North Kivu, stones have been thrown against offices and vehicles of some humanitarian organizations. This has led to the transfer of humanitarian staff to Beni, as a precautionary measure. • In North Kivu, two vehicles of the NGO Save the Children – UK have been unable to reach the area of Vitshumbi, in the Rutshuru Territory. They had been blocked by armed elements, who have demanded the transport of their dependants. • Following a deterioration of the security situation in the areas of Baraka and Fizi, in South Kivu, caused by clashes between armed groups, some international NGOs have decided to relocate their staff to Uvira.
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