UNICEF Democratic Republic of the Congo – FLASH REPORT #4 22 November HIGHLIGHTS Goma remained relatively calm, with some circulation and businesses operating Situation west of Goma remains volatile with reports of joint FARDC and Nyatura militia attacks on M23’s Sake positions at mid-day and reports that Sake was taken by FARDC late in the afternoon. Reportedly there were many civilian casualties including children. Minova and Bwerimana are still held by FARDC with heavy presence in Minova. The security situation in Bunia appears to be stabilizing but is still tense. Colleagues could visit UNICEF premises and they are intact. Preliminary assessments as of 21 November in Goma by UNICEF partners account for between 84,000-103,000 internally displaced in the four main sites. OCHA estimates 140,000 new and existing caseload of IDPs in 3 public schools, the Don Bosco center, and 3 IDP camps (Lac Vert, Mugunga I and III). Return movements appear to be picking up speed, with rapid assessments indicating significant numbers of IDPs may already be or are intending to return to their villages of origin in Rutshuru. Bukavu was still tense but calm and airport accessible; the same situation in Kisangani after two days of civil unrest. POLITICAL AND SECURITY SITUATION After several hours of meeting yesterday in Kampala the presidents of the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda (Joseph Kabila, Paul Kagame, and Yoweri Museveni) issued a joint declaration calling for the immediate withdrawal of the M23 and the cessation of all hostilities. The M23 has responded by repeating their request for direct meetings with the DRC president together with the other actors from the opposition, Congolese civil society, and the diaspora. Further reports of looting—particularly in Sake after the combat—and in Goma (targeting governor and mayor’s offices). MONUSCO retains control of the airport and limited MONUSCO patrols have continued. In Masisi territory different new or previously dormant Mai Mai groups have reportedly taken arms from retreating FARDC to fight against M23; elsewhere Mai Mai groups sympathetic to M23 are helping them to disarm FARDC; some of these groups reportedly include children and youth. Situation elsewhere in North Kivu: Masisi center occupied by APCLS militia; armed confrontation between FARDC and M23 reported near Karuba; M23 progresses toward Kitchanga; demontrations in Walikale of population and Raia Mutomboki militia against MONUSCO, OCHA, and humanitarian organizations. FARDC leaving Kitchanga and Mabenga areas for regrouping at Kanyabayonga town – 150 km north of Goma. Bukavu remains tense but calm, security and contingency planning ongoing. The situation in Bunia is stabilizing but requires vigilance. Staff were able to return to office to assess any damage; UNICEF facilities are intact. In Kisangani work resumed quasi normally after two days of civil strife. HUMANITARIAN SITUATION Cholera risk is reduced slightly in Goma town with the restoration of water supply from 8h-16h, but continued efforts are needed. The situation is fluid but current estimates based on information from Caritas and the Don Bosco center place the number of IDPs in four main sites at between 84,000 – 103,000 IDPs. In addition to these are the IDPs in host families and smaller regroupings in churches and schools. OCHA is using 140,000 as the estimation of new and existing caseload in 3 public schools (Neema, Nazareen, Ushindi), the Don Bosco center, and 3 IDP camps (Lac Vert, Mugunga I and III). 150 war wounded hospitalized, significant proportion are civilians. ICRC and Red Cross have collected the remains of 31 dead in Goma. 10 from FARDC and 21 civilians. Some return movements reported from the sites west of Goma and Don Bosco; IDPs in Don Bosco said they are ready to return to their own villages (not Kanyarucinya camp); they have requested plastic sheeting, food for travel, and assistance in transport for vulnerable people. Response planning for IDP sites is re-oriented toward a transit center approach, with focus particularly on water and sanitation. The second daily humanitarian coordination meeting was held in OCHA Goma with some clusters meeting today or scheduled for tomorrow; overall it appears that more humanitarian actors are returning to Goma. UNICEF & CLUSTER RESPONSE **These are preliminary estimates of immediate needs and will change as the situation develops** NFI/Shelter UNICEF RRMP is ready for immediate distribution of 11,800 NFI kits. Delivery is being coordinated with other actors in the cluster with priority to the IDP sites and transit areas west of Goma and to those in the Don Bosco center and other spontaneous sites where people have arrived without essential household and personal items. 15 trucks of plastic tarpaulin, sleeping mats, blankets, and additional family kits are moving from Nairobi; possible in-kind airlifts of NFI in discussion with both USAID/OFDA and DFID WASH Clean water supply needs are reportedly well covered, but access to sanitation remains a problem, particularly in the IDP sites. ICRC and Mercy Corps have restored water service in Goma from 8h to 16h by providing fuel to REGIDESO (the state water service) for two pumping stations that provide city water. UNICEF is prepared to take over provision of fuel after the 6 days of support by ICRC. 2 UNICEF RRMP with partner Solidarités started constructing 200 latrines in Mungunga 3. UNICEF RRMP partner Solidarités continues to run 58 water chlorination points around the lake Kivu. ICRC continues water trucking to the Don Bosco center and has started service to three other sites including the Ndosho hospital; Asaf providing water at Mugunga 1, 3 and Lac Vert sites Education Schools scheduled to reopen tomorrow, pending an official communiqué from the M23 to authorize opening. Education cluster and EPSP are completing the inventory of schools occupied by IDPs as well as those damaged or looted. UNICEF is concerned about protection risks, particularly recruitment, during the upcoming Christmas school holidays. Students also risk falling behind and not passing exams because of days missed. UNICEF and cluster members are beginning advocacy with relevant religious and technical authorities about the possibility to revise the school calendar (extending sessions and postponing exams) to permit children to catch up and provide a protective environment. Protection Child protection coordination meeting took place to exchange information, discuss next steps, and agree priorities. Serious concerns about UXOs and potential mines in the areas north of Goma towards Rutshuru. Demining will be necessary as it is a danger for returnees and humanitarian actors. UNICEF partner SYLAM will continue sensitization campaigns and UNMAC is planning to arrive in Goma in the coming days for an assessment. Large number of separated children reported (500), although numbers are dropping due to spontaneous reunification, but UNICEF and local partners are scaling up ongoing family tracing programmes in collaboration with ICRC. 3 cases of sexual violence against children reportedly took place in Mugunga and were referred to UNICEF partner Heal Africa for assistance. 95 children in conflict with the law, previously staying at the centre Midefehops (EGEE- etablissement de garde et education de l'Etat) are unaccounted for; efforts are underway to locate them. The temporary care for children staying in transit and orientation centres (CTO) in Goma is not affected by the conflict so far. However, child protection partners are concerned about the possible negative impact of the M23 expansion in the province for 126 children still fostered in 5 CTOs in various places in the interior (Nyakariba, Masisi, Nyanzale, Kanyabayonga, Walikale). Children formerly associated and now separated from armed groups are at high risk of re-recruitment and will be primary targets for prevention support. Health & Nutrition UNICEF and EPI partners prepare for a systematic measles vaccination campaign among IDP and host communities in and around Goma. 2,000 cartons (27.6 Tons) of Plumpy Nut are being lent to the DRC program by the Burundi office; it left Bujumbura today for Bukavu. 3 Additional supplies of Plumpy Nut, anti-malaria medicines, and emergency health kits for the RRMP health program are awaiting expedited air shipment from Kinshasa to either Goma or Rwanda Major health concern remains cholera; if no major cholera outbreak is reported, present UNICEF stocks of Ringer Lactate would cover at least the next 2 weeks but stocks are also available for treatment of acute cases with other health actors; Oral Rehydration Salt stocks are not a problem for for treatment of milder cases; 7,000 sachets on hand. REVISED RESOURCES REQUIREMENTS1 Sector US$ Nutrition 523,000 Health (epidemic prevention & response) 500,000 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene 800,000 Education 900,000 Child Protection 2,294,000 NFI 4,700,000 TOTAL 9,717,000 1 These are preliminary needs based on initial estimates and can change as the situation evolves 4 5 .