News: More than 155,000 people displaced in the Democratic Republic of Congo
In a recent report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), it was revealed that more than 155,000 people had to flee their villages between December 7 and 10 following renewed clashes between the Security Forces. Congolese Army (FARDC) and a non-state armed group. This alarming situation is taking place on the Sake-Masisi center, Sake-Minova, and Mushaki axes, located approximately 45 km from Goma.
According to humanitarian sources, at least two civilians were killed and 22 others injured during this violence. Among the displaced, 60,000 people were welcomed in Bihambwe, 15 km from Mushaki, between August and November, but they were forced to flee again due to the resumption of fighting.
These people were forced to disperse to different villages in the Kirotshe and Masisi areas. Despite the violent situations, some return movements were observed, notably in the Kirotshe area, a few days after the violent episodes of December 9 in the village of Ngingwe, northwest of Sake. However, these people are often forced to return to displacement sites and collective centers due to a lack of other safe options.
The OCHA report highlights that some humanitarian actors are already present in the region to provide assistance in health, education and nutrition. However, access to drinking water remains difficult, hygiene and sanitation facilities are insufficient and the lack of appropriate shelter exposes displaced people to high risks of cholera.
At the same time, around 30,000 displaced people arrived in the sites of Bulengo in Goma and Rusayo 2 in Nyiragongo between December 4 and 5, mainly coming from the Masisi region. They were temporarily housed in hangars, where the promiscuity exposed them to diseases.
Women and girls face particular risks of gender-based violence (GBV) in these displacement contexts. The priority needs identified are housing, food and essential household items (AME), to ensure their protection and well-being.
It is also important to note that since mid-October, a relative calm has been observed in the Rutshuru territory, which has favored the gradual return of more than 36,700 displaced people to Bambo. The motivations for this return are multiple, notably the precarious living conditions in the host communities.
Faced with these situations of massive displacement, the urgent needs of the displaced are access to drinking water, health care and food.. It is therefore essential that the international community mobilizes to support humanitarian efforts and help relieve the suffering of these vulnerable populations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.