URGENT NEED TO ASSIST RECENTLY DISPLACED POPULATIONS

Transcription

1 UNICEF HUMANITARIAN ACTION D.R. CONGO DONOR UPDATE 9 JULY 2001 URGENT NEED TO ASSIST RECENTLY DISPLACED POPULATIONS Progress being made toward peace Continued exploitation of natural resources Ethnic conflicts persist in eastern DRC Some 60 per cent requirements unmet 1. EMERGENCY OVERVIEW AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS Peace process back on track Major General Joseph Kabila, the new President, has appointed a new government with many technocrats and former officials of international bodies. Following intensive diplomatic contacts made by Joseph Kabila, the peace process was revived. The President clearly indicated his full commitment to the implementation of Security Council resolutions concerning DRC, expressed his wish to see a rapid deployment of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) and requested Sir Ketumile Masire to resume his role as facilitator for the Inter-Congolese National Dialogue. In a statement to the nation on 14 June, the President gave formal orders to all government forces to cease recruitment of child soldiers and the use of child soldiers on the front lines, thereby launching a national programme for demobilisation and reintegration of child soldiers. Cease-fire being maintained The cease-fire, along the front line, is largely respected. Following Resolution 1341 (2001), most troops moved from the front line by 15 March, except those of the Front de Libération du Congo (FLC) which started their redeployment only on May 25. By mid June, MONUC had deployed 363 military observers, 134 headquarter officers and 1,869 troops, positioned in 5 locations. A preparatory meeting for the Inter-Congolese dialogue, co-ordinated by the facilitator, is now planned for July 16. MONUC presence extended Security Council Resolution 1355, to extend the mandate of MONUC for another year, was adopted on June 15. The Resolution gives particular attention to the situation of Congolese children, including an appeal for the demobilisation of child soldiers. Illegal exploitation of natural resources A panel of experts studied in the past months the exploitation of DRC s natural resources and reported massive illegal exploitation of Congolese resources by individuals, foreign governments and armed groups involved in the conflict. Such exploitation is also linked with the continuing conflict, and the Security Council is strongly urging all parties involved to stop such illegal activities. UNICEF EMERGENCY UPDATES are available at and

2 Situation in eastern DRC remains unstable Despite these recent peace initiatives, eastern DRC continues to be affected by humanitarian crises. In January, longstanding tensions between the Lendu and Hema ethnic groups developed into a new wave of clashes, with hundreds of people killed and many more displaced. The situation was complicated by internal power struggles within different rebel movements which finally merged into FLC, who promised to UN delegations visiting Bunia to rapidly mediate peace and provide a safe environment for the humanitarian agencies. However, on 26 April, six ICRC members were killed in an ambush near Bunia and most humanitarian activities in the region remain suspended since then. In North and South Kivu as well as in North Tanganyika, armed groups (mainly Interahamwe, ex-far, Mai-Mai, and FDD) appear to have increased their activities. Most of the northern part of the North Kivu Province is now controlled by the Mai-Mai. Currently 24 foreigners are held hostage near Beni in North Kivu. Also, some Interahamwe groups are trying to force their way back from North Kivu to Western Rwanda, creating fear amongst the population in both countries. In South Kivu, military operations are being conducted to track the armed groups, forcing thousands of people to move from their villages. In Tanganyika district in northern Katanga province, apart from a few urban centres, most of the countryside is unsafe. 2. UNICEF RESPONSE: ACTIVITIES, ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONSTRAINTS Distribution of emergency health assistance With the continued respect of cease-fire along the front line, local authorities have finally authorized access to many - but NOT all - regions formerly inaccessible. In the past weeks, UNICEF was able to provide emergency health assistance to the affected populations living in some of these regions. Some of these activities include: Some 550,000 people will benefit from 15 MT of medical supplies composed of emergency health kits, essential drugs, Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) and medical equipment airlifted (with OCHA support) to Ikela and Boende for 3 health zones in the Equateur province. UNICEF is working with Caritas to ensure the distribution of supplies to health facilities in the region. Some 450,000 people in another 3 health zones in Western Kasai province (Mushenge, Ilebo and Bulape, with 3 hospitals and 18 health centres) were assisted with 10 MT of emergency health supplies distributed by Caritas with non-food supplies. In the Kasai Oriental province, UNICEF provided another allocation of 12 MT of health supplies to Caritas for distribution to 3 hospitals and 14 health centres located on the former front line (Lusambo, Tshofa, and Kalonga). An emergency measles vaccination campaign, targeting 120,000 children under 5 years of age, was completed in end May. Despite great difficulties of the movement of vaccinators between the front lines, the campaign was a great success. In Tanganyika district, UNICEF provided health supplies, through Nova Frontiera and ACF-USA, for the hospitals of Kalemie and Moba, respectively. In Kisangani, UNICEF is not only initiating, with the local authorities, a comprehensive programme to support 50 health centres in 3 health zones, with health supplies financed by the Belgium government, but is also initiating a training programme for health staff in improving the use and management of these supplies. Continued support for therapeutic feeding centres During the first trimester of the year, UNICEF supported 63 therapeutic feeding centres (TFCs) countrywide where some 10,200 severely malnourished children were treated. One hundred forty-four MT of therapeutic milk, 38 OXFAM feeding kits and 37 kits of essential drugs were provided to the centres. This was done mainly with the support of Norway, Canada and Belgium governments. Distribution of non-food assistance to the displaced Between January and May 2001, UNICEF distributed non-food items to 18,000 displaced families. Within this distribution phases, the activities included: In Kiribizi (North Kivu), Caritas distributed UNICEF relief kits to 1,400 families. The NGO Solidarités, with its feeding programme, is supporting 1,200 displaced families, and World Vision is currently assisting 4,000 families with non-food supplies in Bashali and Kahembe. In South Kivu, the Xaveriens Brothers assisted additional 512 families in Kitutu and another 4,000 families in Shabunda. Also, a new partnership agreement was signed with the Sisters of the Divine Masters in Lulingu to assist 766 displaced families. In Katanga, World Vision assisted 3,438 displaced families in Kamina and Malemba-Nkulu areas with emergency relief kits, blankets and plastic sheeting. MSF Belgium also distributed 1,700 emergency relief kits to ex-refugee families, returning voluntarily from the refugee camps in Kasenga and Kilwa. In Western Kasai province, Caritas distributed family kits to 1,000 vulnerable displaced families and provided health assistance as well. UNICEF EMERGENCY UPDATES are available at and 2

3 Demobilisation of child soldiers On 30 March 2001, DRC signed and ratified the two optional protocols of the Convention of the Right of the Child (CRC) related to children in armed conflicts, the African Charter on the Right and Wellbeing of the children, and the Convention 182 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). In Kinshasa, a national campaign against the recruitment of child soldiers and the preparation for demilitarisation, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) of vulnerable groups in the armed forces has been launched. Two seminars, organised by the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Human Rights and the Bureau National de Demobilisation and Reinsertion (BUNADER), with support from UNICEF, SCF-UK and the Bureau International Catholique de l Enfance (BICE), were held to mobilise military officers and members of civil society on the issue. Provincial seminars are programmed for the coming weeks to address the provincial military authorities. An assessment of the child soldiers enrolled in the Forces Armées Congolaises (FAC) will be undertaken by BICE and BUNADER in July, financed by UNICEF. In North Kivu, an information campaign on recruitment of child soldiers is conducted by the civil society with support from the local authorities, UNICEF, UNHCHR and SCF-UK. In Ituri, SOS Grand Lacs, a local NGO supported by UNICEF, is currently tracing families of the 165 Congolese children found in military training camps in Uganda in February. UNICEF Uganda office, with UNICEF DRC, will shortly begin repatriation of these children and reunification with their families. SOS Grands Lacs will monitor and help the process. Two UNICEF experts in human rights are currently investigating the existing recruitment of child soldier process in eastern DRC, in areas controlled by RCD Goma and the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), as well as those controlled by FLC and the Ugandan Patriotic Defence Forces (UPDF). The results of this study will identify the violations against minors perpetrated by the armed forces and armed groups in eastern DRC. This will also allow UNICEF to start a strong advocacy and action plan in the Great Lakes region, in line with the recommendations of the recent mission of SRSG Olara Otunnu. Education With the funds currently available from Sweden and Norway, UNICEF, through provision of basic education supplies, will reinforce the capacities of school, providing schooling to 15,000 displaced primary school children in the coming September. Meanwhile, training of facilitators for these learning sites in the Kivu provinces continues. School for displaced children supported by UNICEF APPEAL REQUIREMENTS AND RECEIPTS The following table and graph give a detailed description of the current funding status, by sector. As indicated, the education sector remains poorly funded at only 15%. A good part of the funds received for health is strictly allocated to support the new SANRU project in DRC and so, only 45 % of the funds are really available to support UNICEF emergency health interventions such as measles campaign and support to health centres. To date, UNICEF has only received just over US$ 6 million (or 4) of the Appeal requirements, indicating a shortfall of US$ 9 million. Table 1: FUNDS RECEIVED FOR 2001 APPEAL BY SECTOR Sector Target (US$) Funded (US$) % funded Unfunded (US$) Health 3,000,000 2,995, ,837 Nutrition 1,500, , ,467 Emergency relief to IDPs 4,500,000 1,025, ,474,298 Child protection 2,500, , ,908,031 Education initiative for IDPs 3,500, , ,964,159 Total 15,000,000 6,027, ,972,792 UNICEF EMERGENCY UPDATES are available at and 3

4 PROPORTION OF 2001 APPEAL FUNDED BY SECTOR Nutrition Child protection Health IDP Education Funded Unfunded IDP Relief US$ MILLION Table 2: FUNDS RECEIVED FOR 2001 APPEAL BY DONOR Donor Income/Pledge (US$) USA (PRM) 2,500,000 USA (OFDA) 1,000,000 Sweden 732,970 Ireland 517,000 Canada 490,193 Denmark 355,440 Norway 288,746 US Natcom 56,000 South Africa 50,094 ECHO 36,765 Total 6,027,208 PROPORTION OF 2001 APPEAL FUNDED BY DONOR USA (PRM) 17% USA (OFDA) 7% Sweden 5% Ireland 3% Unfunded 61% Canada 3% Denmark 2% ECHO South Africa US Natcom Norway 2% * Contributions below US$ 100,000 appear as 0 UNICEF EMERGENCY UPDATES are available at and 4

5 4. CURRENT PRIORITY REQUIREMENTS With an increasing number of displaced, and a continued deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the past two years, the most basic needs of affected population remain unmet. While previous interventions have had a significant impact, funding shortfalls in the following critical areas, directly affecting child survival, would be felt. Assistance to the displaced population While significant assistance has been provided to displaced families, only a small percentage has been effectively assisted. UNICEF urgently seeks donor support to provide basic survival kits (costing US$ 50 each) to additional vulnerable families. Continued UNICEF assistance to 200 health centres in 10 health zones UNICEF needs to purchase additional 600 essential drug kits to extend its assistance to 60 health centres in Lisala, 20 in Kabinda, and 200 in the Oriental and Equator provinces as well as to respond to any additional requirement. Without such support, UNICEF assistance to these 10 health zones, currently receiving medical equipment and drugs would also have to stop. Emergency Education As the majority of IDP children are not attending school, the new UNICEF Emergency Education initiative is a comprehensive project, whose components ranging from provision of supplies to training will expand access to basic education to these children. Protection for conflict-affected children Children in DRC are the hardest hit by the ongoing war and economic hardships. Minors are continuously drafted into the armed forces by practically all parties in the conflict. Children are being separated from their parents during massive and panic-driven flights of population, and teenagers/minors are forced to the streets where they become beggars, prostitutes and are subject to mistreatment. It is practically impossible to evaluate in numeric terms all categories of children in difficult circumstances. To reduce their vulnerability, UNICEF needs support to continue and increase its assistance to these children. The table below outlines the urgent requirements: Table 3: PRIORITY REQUIREMENTS Project Beneficiaries/coverage Amount Required (US$) 1. Emergency assistance to 30,000 families in North Kivu 1,500,000 recently displaced population Province 2. Emergency health assistance Over 1 million people in ,000 health zones 3. Emergency education supplies 100,000 displaced children 500, Protection of children affected by the conflict 10,000 child soldiers and affected children 500,000 Further details of the Democratic Republic of Congo Emergency Programme can be obtained from: Martin Mogwanja Robin Medforth-Mills Dan Rohrmann UNICEF Representative UNICEF EMOPS UNICEF PFO Democratic Republic of Congo Geneva New York Tel: Tel: Tel: Fax: Fax: Fax: mmogwanja@unicef.org rmmills@unicef.org drohrmann@unicef.org UNICEF EMERGENCY UPDATES are available at and 5