DRC: Emergency response reaching 56,000 in Ituri

A major humanitarian catastrophe in the District of Ituri has been averted due to the rapid response of the humanitarian community in the area. Over 56,000 people, displaced by fighting between militia groups in the Territory of Djugu, are now receiving humanitarian aid.
"What we are seeing is a flare-up of existing violence in the area, forcing people to flee their homes towards safer areas" confirmed Modibo Traore, OCHA's Head of Office in Bunia. "The humanitarian community is accustomed to responding to emergency situations in Ituri, but this is a larger than usual crisis with the additional challenge of a volatile security environment" he added.

Continued insecurity in the area has meant that humanitarians can only access the displaced who have gathered in sites along the shores of Lake Albert, plus those further inland at Tché and Gina, where they are protected by MONUC troops, and in Muhito, just north of Bunia town.

"The risks of disease and malnutrition amongst the displaced communities are enormous, as people have walked long distances with little more than they could carry," Mr Traore said. "People in the Territory of Djugu have already been rendered extremely vulnerable due to the effects of the ongoing violence in the area, and this displacement could have had catastrophic consequences" he continued.

"These risks have been avoided by the prompt response of the humanitarian community across all sectors".

The joint OCHA and UNICEF managed Rapid Response Fund has ensured the distribution of essential items from UNICEF such as blankets, soap, cooking utensils and clothes to these displaced communities, while WFP has distributed food rations for up to one month. Potable water, latrines, medical facilities and the distribution of basic fishing equipment have all been provided for the displaced families by the wider humanitarian community.

"However, the aim is still to assist these people to return home as soon as the security situation permits, so that they can restart their shattered lives" said Mr Traore.

Fighting between various militia groups has caused the displacement of tens of thousands of people in the Territory of Djugu since the beginning of the year. Security in the area remains volatile and humanitarian organisations are currently only able to access six sites where the displaced have gathered. Current registration levels indicate that 55,965 people had gathered in these areas as at February 14. Other people are very likely displaced elsewhere in the Territory of Djugu, but the current insecurity, coupled with poor road conditions, have rendered these areas temporarily inaccessible.

Over 50,000 people have died since hostilities between Lendu and Hema groups erupted into violence in the District of Ituri in 1999.

For further information, please contact:
Rachel Scott Leflaive, Public Information, OCHA, D R Congo scottleflaive@un.org, rachel.scottleflaive@undp.org tel +243 81 98 60 444
Modibo Traore, Head of OCHA Sub-Office, Bunia, D R Congo traorem@un.org tel +243 81 32 75 000