This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is working with partner organizations in western Uganda to support a growing number of people, most of them women and children, fleeing horrific inter-ethnic violence and sexual abuse in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

More than 57,000 refugees have been displaced by the violence in eastern DRC since the beginning of this year. An overwhelming majority - some 77.5 per cent - are women and children.

In the space of just three days, between 10 - 13 March, more than 4,000 people crossed into Uganda from the provinces of Ituri and North Kivu. These numbers are on a larger scale still than in 2017 when some 44,000 fled over the course of the entire year. UNHCR fears thousands more could arrive in Uganda if the security situation inside the DRC does not immediately improve.

The majority continue to cross into Uganda via Lake Albert in rickety and unsafe boats from Ituri, a journey that has already cost the lives of several refugees. The situation has been even more dangerous in recent days because of bad weather. Others continue to arrive on foot near the villages of Kisoro and Ntoroko.

Several of the new arrivals are in deep trauma from the violence. Many are exhausted, hungry, thirsty, sick, and have fled with few or no belongings.

While the lack of access to this part of Democratic Republic of the Congo means it is difficult to offer a detailed picture of the situation, UNHCR has received chilling accounts of violence. These include accounts of rape, murder and separation from family members.

These are linked to the deteriorating security situation, internal conflicts and inter-communal tensions. Armed men are reported to be attacking villages, looting and burning down houses, indiscriminately killing civilian populations and kidnapping young men and boys. A growing number of reports indicate that the violence is taking on ethnic dimensions as tribal groups engage in retaliatory attacks.

Dozens of refugees have told UNHCR staff in Uganda of sexual violence and assaults they have endured in the DRC. The vast majority of survivors are women and girls, as well as a smaller number of men and boys.

These alarming reports have led the UN Refugee Agency and partners to strengthen the systems in place to identify and support survivors of sexual and gender based violence.

UNHCR has deployed significant additional staff and resources to identify victims and strengthen support. Efforts include strengthening the medical screening at landing sites on the shores of Lake Albert and at SGBV screening at the reception centres as well as making gender segregation spaces available.

Working with partners, we have deployed additional staff specifically trained in psychosocial care to increase support to refugee survivors of SGBV and have conducted further outreach with community leaders and networks to ensure refugees are aware of what services are available to them.

We are also working with our humanitarian partners to save lives after a Cholera outbreak killed at least 32 refugees. The number of reported cases have significantly gone down from 668 to 160 since the outbreak in February.

The refugee response funding appeal for Uganda of nearly US$180 million remains poorly funded, severely restricting capacities of humanitarian organisations to deliver vital aid and assistance. In that appeal, UNHCR’s requirements of US$118.3 million are at present only three per cent funded. Humanitarian needs remain extensive, including food, water, shelter and healthcare.

For more information on this topic, please contact:

In Uganda, Teresa Ongaro, ongaro@unhcr.org, +254 735 337 608
In Uganda, Duniya Aslam Khan, khand@unhcr.org, +256 772 701 101
In DRC, Andreas Kirchhof, kirchhof@unhcr.org, +243 81 700 9484
In Geneva, Aikaterini Kitidi, kitidi@unhcr.org, +41 79 580 8334
In Geneva, Babar Baloch, baloch@unhcr.org, +41 79 513 95 49

Contents

117 Vaccine-derived polioviruses outbreaks and events in 3 provinces of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2017

125 Emergence of monkeypox in West and Central Africa, 1970–2017

Sommaire

117 Flambées et événements de poliovirus dérivés d’une souche vaccinale dans 3 provinces de la République démocratique du Congo, 2017

125 Émergence de l’orthopoxvirose simienne en Afrique de l’Ouest et en Afrique centrale, 1970-2017

ARCELLINE COMLAN Kongolo, 15 mars 2018 – La Section des Affaires civiles de la MONUSCO-Kalemie a organisé une mission de terrain à Kongolo, dans la province du Tanganyika, afin, d’une part, de distribuer du matériel de sensibilisation pour les comités locaux de paix (Baraza) et, d’autre part, de lancer les activités de sensibilisation auprès des jeunes et des femmes sur le processus électoral et la réduction de la violence, dans le cadre d’un partenariat avec la société civile.

La section Désarmement, Démobilisation et Réintégration (DDR, celle de l’Information publique ainsi la Commission diocésaine Justice et Paix (CDJP) ont pris part à cette mission.

En appui à l’exécution des projets de réduction de la violence communautaire (CVR), la Section des Affaires civiles de la MONUSCO -Kalemie, sous la coordination de l'ONG locale CDJP, a procédé à la remise d’un certain nombre d’équipements, notamment 24 bicyclettes, aux membres de trois Barazas installés à Lemba, Kaseya et Kongolo- centre.

Cet appui en moyen de transport est destiné à faciliter la mobilité des membres des Baraza dans et autour de leurs communautés pour leurs activités de sensibilisation à la paix et à la cohésion sociale.

Par ailleurs, chaque Baraza a reçu un système de sonorisation complet pour améliorer la qualité des actions de communication avec les populations.

Autre volet de cet appui, pour la campagne de sensibilisation au processus électoral avec les jeunes et les femmes, la Section des Affaires civiles et la CENI envisagent d’organiser un atelier de renforcement de capacités pour la société civile sur les questions liées à la démocratie, la participation, les élections et la lutte contre la violence.

Un groupe de jeunes issus de la société civile sera ensuite formé à l'utilisation du matériel fourni en vue de mener des activités de sensibilisation dans les universités, les écoles secondaires et diverses associations civiques. La Section des Affaires civiles saisira l'occasion pour lancer une réunion mensuelle de la société civile à Kongolo.

Ces équipements viennent compléter un lot de matériel remis en janvier 2018 aux comités locaux de paix de Kongolo par la Section des Affaires civiles Kalemie. Ce premier comprenait des imperméables, des bottes, des t-shirts, des casquettes et des articles de papeterie.

Bukavu, le 14 mars 2018 – Au Sud-Kivu, une cérémonie d’accueil des combattants démobilisés au sein de leur communauté a été organisée le mercredi 14 mars 2018 à Bunyakiri, en territoire de Kalehe. Les ex-combattants ont tenu un dialogue de réconciliation avec les victimes devant l’ambassadrice de la Suisse en RDC, Siri WALT, le vice-gouverneur de la province du Sud-Kivu, Hilaire KISUSA KIKOBYA, des ministres provinciaux et une délégation DDRRR de la MONUSCO.

Prêts à rejoindre la vie civile, une vingtaine de combattants venant du groupe armé «Raia Mutomboki» ont déposé les armes à Bunyakiri, en territoire de Kalehe, dans la province du Sud-Kivu. Pour une réintégration réussie au sein de leur communauté, ces derniers ont décidé de présenter leurs excuses publiquement, en regrettant les actes criminels commis jadis contre leurs propres frères du territoire. Ceci fait partie d’un programme financé à hauteur de 450 000 USD par la coopération suisse à travers l’ONG Action pour la Paix et la Concorde (APC).

Kalehe connaît une insécurité qui déstabilise la vie sociale et économique de ses habitants. Plusieurs groupes armés y sont encore actifs. Les groupes Mai-Mai et les Raia Mutomboki y règnent en maître dans différents groupements. Les conséquences restent néfastes : des femmes violées, des commerçants dépouillés, des villages pillés, avec des déplacements des habitants ainsi que des meurtres. Pendant que l’armée congolaise y traquer les miliciens, il se poursuit le programme de Désarmement, Démobilisation et Réinsertion (PNDDR). Aux côtés du gouvernement congolais et de ses partenaires, la MONUSCO accompagne les efforts de DDR.

Toutefois, la réinsertion communautaire pour les combattants qui acceptent d’abandonner les armes reste difficile. A en croire les activistes des Droits de l’homme qui œuvrent dans ce domaine, les ex-combattants en difficulté de se resocialiser retombent dans la violence ou le banditisme. Le geste posé à Bunyakiri, cité en quête de paix et de stabilité, pourrait servir de leçon pour toute la RD Congo : le pardon pour aider ces ex-combattants à mieux gérer leur réinsertion. Des victimes ont accepté le mea-culpa.

L’atmosphère était chargée d’émotion, tel que l’a fait savoir Siri WALT, l’ambassadrice de la Suisse en RDC, en assistant «à cette célébration où les ex-combattants demandent pardon aux victimes et ces dernières qui acceptent de l’accorder.» Pour elle, «ça donne beaucoup d’espoir pour la région. Ceci pourra être aussi un modèle pour d’autres régions».

Cet aboutissement a été difficile, selon une représentante des femmes victimes des actes des Raia Mutomboki en territoire de Kalehe, dont certaines encore sujettes à des traumatismes. « Ce n’était pas facile mais à la fin quand on voit le courage qu’ils ont eu de venir vers nous, c’est aussi une façon de nous guérir (…), une thérapie. »

Pour sa part, Monsieur Ganda Abdourahamane, responsable de la section DDRRR MONUSCO Bukavu, demande aux ex-combattants de devenir des ambassadeurs de paix auprès des autres combattants restés dans la brousse.

Overview

In January, 41,387 eligible refugees and asylum-seekers (19,154 households) received cash assistance in Greece, in 95 locations.

UNHCR provides cash assistance in Greece, as part of the ESTIA programme, funded by the European Commission. Cash assistance restores dignity and empowers asylum-seekers and refugees who can now choose how to cover their basic needs. It also contributes directly to the economy of the host community through the purchase of services and goods. UNHCR in Greece works with the Greece Cash Alliance partners the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and Mercy Corps.

Demographics of Refugees and Asylum-Seekers Assisted with Cash

In total, since April 2017, 62,021 eligible individuals are estimated to have received cash assistance in Greece at least once. Eligibility is assessed on the basis of one’s date of entry in the country, legal status and current location. Of the 41,387 individuals who received cash assistance this month, 6,143 are recognized refugees. Furthermore, 41% were children, 23% were women and 36% were men. One third of all, benefiting from cash assistance, are families with an average family size of five people and above.

The amount of cash assistance distributed to each household is proportionate to the family size. It ranges between 90 euros for an individual in catered accommodation, to 550 euros for a family of seven members or more in self-catered accommodation.

Demographics of Individuals Receiving Cash Assistance

84% of individuals in the cash assistance scheme are Syrian, Iraqi, Afghan, Iranian or Palestinian.

Location of Individuals Receiving Cash Assistance

Asylum-seekers and refugees receiving cash assistance reside in 95 locations in Greece. 44% of those receiving cash assistance are located in Athens, with 24% currently on the islands and a further 19% in Central Macedonia.

Kalemie– IOM, the UN Migration Agency, in the south-eastern Congolese city of Kalemie, continues the urgent relocation of internally displaced families from congested and unhealthy urban collective centres to a displacement site recently established in nearby Kalunga. The majority of the collective centres are former schools.

More than 200 families were transferred by IOM from the EP La Gloire school to Kalunga on Wednesday (14/03), bringing the total number of families helped to relocate to 1,930.

“We hope to conclude the relocation of the last 240 remaining families sheltering at the school in the coming days,” said Amalia Torres, Head of IOM’s Sub-office in Kalemie. “The rains are worsening already poor living conditions at the school and the families are desperate to move to the Kalunga displacement site, where they will find decent living conditions,” said Torres.

Some 11,800 displaced families are still living in extremely dangerous conditions in six collective centres in Kalemie – the EP La Gloire school being one of them.

“Many families are using simple mosquito nets as shelter. The complete absence of space between those squalid and flimsy dwellings exposes them to fire, diseases, insecurity and many other protection risks,” added Torres.

IOM aims to relocate to Kalunga and other pre-identified sites, a total of 6,000 displaced families from four schools in Kalemie with funding from the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund – Rapid Response (CERF-RR).

Prior to the transfer of displaced families, IOM carries out site planning activities such as plot demarcation, construction of transit hangars and defines sanitary corridors to ensure the basic Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) standards are met in the extensions of the site.

The Kalunga site currently hosts some 3,500 internally displaced families. IOM and partners provide them with shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. Displaced children also have access to educational facilities and families have resumed agricultural activities to help them complement their food and nutritional needs.

IOM in Kalemie has also supported the safe and voluntary return of 390 people to Kasanga-Mtoa and Lukuangulo, located some 10 kilometers from Kalemie.

On the basis of the results of IOM’s return intention survey in the targeted sites, families that are not able to go back to their areas of origin due to the persistent insecurity, are transferred to displacement sites. There they receive an IOM emergency shelter kit and technical support to build their own shelter. For the most vulnerable, IOM and the site committee have mobilized and trained a group of young internally displaced people to build the shelters if they cannot do it on their own.

On 13 March, Mark Lowcock, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and OCHA Emergency Relief Coordinator, and Sigrid Kaag, Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, visited the displacement sites in Kalunga and nearby Katanika, where they met the site committees and internally displaced people.

The delegation, which also included Kim Bolduc, Humanitarian Coordinator in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Julien Harneis, Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator, also met with Richard Ngoy Kitangala, Governor of the Province, Virginie Nkulu Nemba, Provincial Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, and other humanitarian actors in the Province. Jean-Philippe Chauzy, IOM DRC Chief of Mission accompanied the delegation. In the Kalunga site, IOM presented the delegation with ongoing relocation and emergency shelter activities that aim to improve the living conditions of families displaced in school premises in Kalemie through their transfer to transit sites.

Some 630,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in Tanganyika province, bringing the total number of displaced to 4.5 million with some 13.1 million in urgent need of humanitarian assistance this year.

“IOM hopes that the 13 April 2018 pledging conference in Geneva co-hosted by the European Commission, the UN and the Dutch Government will help us address the huge humanitarian challenges in the DRC,” says IOM’s Chauzy. “The world simply cannot sit back and ignore the immense suffering of the Congolese people.”

In December 2017, IOM launched an appeal for USD 75 million to urgently meet the growing needs of displaced people and the communities hosting them across the country. So far it has received USD 4.7 million as part of its appeal.

You can read IOM’s full appeal here.

For more information, please contact:
Olivia Headon in IOM HQ, Tel: +41794035365, Email: oheadon@iom.int
Jean-Philippe Chauzy in IOM Kinshasa, Tel: +243 827 339 827, Email: jpchauzy@iom.int

1. Contexte général

La République Démocratique du Congo (RDC) fait objet des crises aigues et multiples, causées par l’Homme où d’origine naturelle, depuis plus des vingt ans. Dans ses provinces de l’Est on peut compter aux moins 5.4 millions des morts, un grand nombre des violations des droits humains, y compris des violences sexuelles, la destructions des biens et services et des mouvement massifs de population. La totalité du pays vit subitement mais régulièrement des crises épidémiques. Certains zones sont sujettes à inondations, tremblement de terre ou éruptions volcaniques. Le pays accueil aussi des réfugiés des pays limitrophes, de la République Centrafricaine, du Sud Soudan et du Burundi. L’action humanitaire répondant aux besoins qui découlent de cette situation sont adressé à l’aide d’une architecture humanitaire décentralisés et intégrant l’approche cluster depuis près de 10 ans.
En 2006 le Cluster Protection est établi ainsi que son Groupe de travail de Lutte contre les Violences Sexuelles. Ce dernier a été désactivé en 2009, et des mécanismes de coordination sur les violences basées sur le genre ont successivement été mis en place en fonction de l’évolution du contexte. En octobre 2016, à la demande du Cluster Protection, l’Equipe Humanitaire Pays (EHP) a décidé de la réactivation du Sous-cluster VBG en RDC au sein du Cluster Protection, tant au niveau central qu’au niveau provincial. Ainsi, en plus d’un groupe de coordination au niveau de la capitale, 3 sous-cluster provinciaux (North Kivu, Sud Kivu et Ituri) et un sous cluster régionale couvrant 3 provinces (Kasai, Kasai Central et Kasaï Oriental) ont été mise en place.
Depuis fin 2016, la RDC traverse une phase de tension politique liées au calendrier électorale et vit une dégradation de la situation humanitaire marqués par la multiplication des conflits. Ces conflits touchent désormais des nouvelles zones tels que les régions kasaiens et le plan d’action humanitaire triennale 2017-2019 a été revue à la hausse et estime désormais 13.1 millions des personnes dans les besoins humanitaire. Face à une telle situation le Comité Permanente Interorganisationnels (CPI) a activité le 20 Octobre 2017 le niveau d’urgence maximale pour une crise humanitaire.
En octobre 2017, l’EHP a accueilli une mission de révision de l’architecture humanitaire et le sous-cluster VBG a par la suite reçu l’appui de la coordination globale VBG (GBV AoR) à travers le mécanisme REGA. Le présent document décrit les rôles et responsabilités du Sous- cluster sur les violences basées sur le genre en RDC sous-forme de termes de référence1 afin de s’aligner aux modifications de l’architecture humanitaire et intégrer les recommandations de ces deux missions dans l’organisation de la réponse aux violences basée sur le genre.

Devastating violence and conflicts in many regions have resulted in millions of people fleeing violence, whether in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, or Syria. States have recognized the need to find better solutions for huge migration and refugee flows across international borders, and 2018 will see the negotiation and adoption of Global Compacts for Migration and Refugees. What has attracted less attention, however, has been the challenges for internally displaced persons (IDPs). This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, a set of non-binding guidelines that address the plight of IDPs—those that have not crossed an international border, and who seem to have fallen off the international community’s agenda.

IDPs are among the most vulnerable people in the world, and the number of those fleeing violence and conflict in 2016 was estimated at 40.3 million, with an unknown number of people displaced as a result of natural disasters. This is nearly double the number of refugees worldwide. IDPs tend to suffer from extreme poverty, as they are forced to leave their belongings and their work when they flee. They can have difficulties in accessing healthcare services due to lack of proper documentation, the fact that health facilities in host areas often struggle to cope with new arrivals, or the lack of access to medical facilities altogether. Internally displaced children may go months or years without school, and women and girls are at increased risk of gender-based violence. IDPs face dire needs for shelter as well, as most do not find their way to displacement camps. For those that do, they often struggle with limited access to water, sanitation, and energy; and displacement camps are often overcrowded, with few livelihood opportunities. Furthermore, IDPs often face multiple displacement, in that they have fled more than one location.

Syria has one of the largest population of IDPs, estimated at 6.6 million. A majority of these people are living in urban settings, including those living under siege and whose houses have been destroyed. Over a million have sought refuge in IDP sites, often situated in more rural areas, which are described as last resort settlements. One of the key drivers of displacements are conflict-related events, such as the use of explosive weapons in urban areas, and so as the front lines shift, people flee. Most IDPs in Syria have experienced multiple displacements, and rarely find lasting safety. Displacement trends in Syria were described by the UN in 2016 as “fluid and dynamic,” with UNICEF estimating that some children have been displaced up to seven times before reaching safety. All of these issues are often compounded by the fact that crises today are usually protracted ones, and that those displaced will not have a realistic and safe opportunity to return to their homes for several years. Some may also prefer to stay where they are and be integrated there, or be resettled elsewhere. There is a need, therefore, to think about long-term, durable solutions, whether return and reintegration, local integration or resettlement.

The challenges that IDPs face are not dissimilar to those of refugees, but they can be accentuated. If they are not, or are no longer on the other side of an international border, vulnerable populations will not be protected by international refugee law, including the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its Protocol, and it is highly unlikely that their situation will be addressed by the Global Compact for Refugees.

This is not to say that IDPs do not have legal protections. Despite the absence of a specific international legal framework, IDPs are protected by International Human Rights Law and domestic law at all times, and in armed conflict, benefit from the protections that any civilian is entitled to under International Humanitarian Law. This is the basis for the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, which, without creating new legal obligations, identify the clear and existing responsibilities of sovereign states to respond to the needs of IDPs. Building on these Guiding Principles, the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa was passed in 2012, affording legal protection for IDPs at the regional level. Several countries, like Kenya or Colombia, have also developed domestic laws and policies based on the Guiding Principles, which provide for the assistance and protection of IDPs. However, global attention to the plight of IDPs has been wanting, in part because it is perceived to be an internal issue to be dealt with by sovereign states, and because highlighting immense displacement crises puts in the spotlight the failure of states in fulfilling their responsibility to protect and assist their citizens. Indeed, violations of international human rights and humanitarian law are among the main causes of internal displacement.

This lack of attention is problematic, and not the least because vulnerable populations often experience both internal and cross-border displacement. A majority of people facing violence and conflict will travel inside their own country in an attempt to seek safety and aid, but some may end up fleeing across an international border and become refugees. Those who have fled and obtained refugee status elsewhere may well want, or be forced, to return, and could once again face internal displacement in their country of origin if violence continues or their home has been destroyed. Whatever their legal status, all of these people are in vulnerable situations and are therefore in need of assistance and protection—from the acute emergency phase of their displacement, to a more stable or even protracted displacement—in order to find durable solutions.

The plight of these vulnerable people deserves the attention of the international community. Addressing the drivers and causes of internal displacement, as well as the often long-term needs of IDPs, will ultimately assist in tackling not only the refugee crisis, but also help progress towards and achieve sustainable development. As such, if a Global Compact on internally displaced persons is unlikely, the international community should make the most of existing processes and frameworks, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developmentand the New Urban Agenda, in integrating IDPs concerns and ensuring that truly no one is left behind.

Alice Debarre is a Policy Analyst in the Humanitarian Affairs program of the International Peace Institute.

Originally Published in the Global Observatory

Intercommunal violence between Lendu and Hema communities since December has internally displaced over 100,000 people and led to a severe humanitarian crisis. In a conflict where civilians are being directly targeted, protection of the affected population is a major concern. Thousands of houses have been burned down and livelihood activities, including agriculture, have been disrupted, resulting in significant needs for shelter and food assistance.

Anticipated scope and scale

Violence, which started in Djugu territory in December, is spreading to other areas of the province. Over 100,000 internally displaced people have been reported in four out of five territories in Ituri and numbers are increasing. With thousands of houses burned and disruption of harvest, the impact of the crisis is likely to last several months even if the conflict subsides.

The historical tensions between the parties in conflict, the national political crisis affecting the country and the possible involvement of foreign armed groups could lead to a further deterioration of the crisis.

Key Priorities

+100,000 displaced including over 46,000 children

Thousands of houses were burned in over 70 villages

Targeting of civilians +100 people killed

Disruption of harvest leading to crisis food insecurity

Humanitarian Constraints

The highly volatile security context is constraining the access to the most affected areas, including displacement sites. Temporary suspension of humanitarian Thousands of houses operations due to insecurity occur regularly.

KINSHASA, 16 MARS 2018. Le ministre de la Santé Publique de la RDC, le Dr Oly Ilunga Kalenga a clôturé vendredi les travaux d'évaluation externe conjointe (EEC) de la mise en oeuvre des capacités du Règlement Sanitaire International (RSI 2005) après cinq jours des travaux. C'était en présence du Ministre de l'Environnement, du Représentant de l'OMS en République Démocratique du Congo, de l'équipe d'évaluateurs externes indépendants et des experts nationaux multidisciplinaires et multisectoriels.

Ces travaux ont servi à fixer le rythme de travail dans les semaines et mois à venir en rapport avec les recommandations formulées, pour permettre au point focal national du RSI 2005, en l'occurrence le Programme national de l'hygiène aux frontières (PNHF) de mettre au point un plan intégré multisectoriel et multidisciplinaire assorti d’une feuille de route dont l'objectif est de renforcer la mise en œuvre effective du RSI en RDC. "Ce plan va constituer un document de plaidoyer en vue de la mobilisation des ressources nécessaires tant auprès du gouvernement de la RDC que de ses partenaires ", a déclaré le Ministre de la Santé Publique.

C'est donc à travers l'outil d'évaluation externe conjointe (EEC) que la RDC a pu évaluer, de manière indépendante, ses capacités à prévenir, à détecter et à répondre rapidement aux menaces de santé publique, en tenant compte de l'approche 'une seule santé.'

Le Représentant de l'OMS en RDC, le Dr Allarangar Yokouidé, s'est réjoui pour sa part de "l’ambiance qui a prévalu tout au long de ces discussions, une ambiance faite d’introspection, de compréhension, d’ouverture et d’engagement, dans l’examen des documents tant en plénière que lors des échanges bilatéraux, afin de trouver un consensus notamment sur les scores et les actions prioritaires à recommander."

Dans le même temps, "l’OMS va appuyer l’organisation dès lundi 19 et mardi 20 mars 2018 d’une session d’orientation de deux jours, pour capitaliser les conclusions et recommandations auxquelles nous sommes parvenues," a annoncé le Dr Allarangar.

De son côté, le Dr Ali Ahmed Yahaya, chef de l'équipe internationale, a mis en avant, conformément aux présentations effectuées par les experts nationaux, les atouts dont disposait la République Démocratique du Congo, en termes d'expertises et d'expériences régionales pour la gestion des fièvres hémorragiques virales, dans la mise à l'échelle de la stratégie intégrée de la surveillance des maladies et riposte, incluant "les bonnes pratiques dans le maintien du programme de formation en épidémiologie d'intervention et gestion de laboratoire."

La RDC "possède d'autres acquis tels que la création d'un nouveau centre des opérations d'urgence déjà opérationnel," a souligné le Dr Yahaya, qui loue cette capacité du pays à disposer également d'un laboratoire mobile pour la riposte à la maladie à virus Ebola et d'autres fièvres hémorragiques, ainsi que l'opérationnalisation du Centre Régional Nucléaire de Kinshasa (CRNK), en plus d'un progrès considérable dans la communication au public sur les risques dans la quasi-totalité des zones" du pays.

Dans les jours et mois à venir, les autorités de la RDC et leurs partenaires techniques et financiers seront pleinement mobilisés pour relever les défis dans les 19 domaines techniques du RSI 2005 pour le pays, en mettant l'accent sur les points suivants:

i) L'élaboration ou l'adaptation des documents législatifs ou officiels pour une meilleure application du RSI 2005 selon l'approche 'une seule santé';

ii) Le renforcement du cadre multisectoriel de coordination, de coopération et de collaboration en vue de la prévention, la préparation, la détection, la réponse et le rétablissement selon l'approche englobant l'ensemble des menaces;

iii) La rédaction, l'actualisation et l'application des procédures requises de tous les domaines techniques en vue de standardiser et d'harmoniser les interventions dans le cycle de gestion des urgences;

iv) L'établissement et la mise en œuvre des plans opérationnels en vue d'acquérir les capacités minimales requises en vertu du RSI 2005, avec un accent particulier sur les formations adéquates et continues des personnels de tous les secteurs clés, surtout au niveau inférieur de la pyramide sanitaire nationale afin de couvrir l'ensemble du pays.

MSF has been providing medical and humanitarian assistance to asylum seekers and migrants in Greece since 1996. In 2014, MSF expanded its activities in Greece to meet the needs of asylum seekers arriving on the Greek islands and mainland from Turkey. Since 2016, MSF medical teams in Greece have offered services including primary health care, treatment for chronic diseases, sexual and reproductive health care, physiotherapy, individual and group/family clinical psychological care, as well as psychiatric care, along with a comprehensive social support package. Today, MSF provides services in downtown Athens, as well as on the islands of Lesvos, Chios and Samos. In 2017, MSF teams in Greece provided more than 32,000 consultations.

ATHENS

Day Care Centre

MSF has been offering sexual and reproductive health care, mental health care, as well as health promotion and education, through mobile units in refugee camps in Attika and Central Greece since April 2016. In September 2016, in order to respond to the medical and mental health needs of vulnerable people residing all around the city, MSF opened a day care centre in downtown Athens focusing on sexual and reproductive health care and mental health care activities, including care for victims of sexual violence and treatment for transmittable sexual diseases. As of July 2017, MSF started providing also treatment for chronic diseases, to cover the needs of patients staying in Athens on a longer term.

The MSF team has held more than 5,230 consultations with patients seeking medical help for sexual and reproductive health care issues, as well as more than 1,390 individual clinical psychological care and 300 psychiatric sessions within 2017. More than 620 consultations have been performed with people seeking treatment for chronic diseases.

In response to the complexity of the observed needs and the required holistic approach, the Day Care Centre started also providing patients with a comprehensive social support package that also includes links to legal aid actors; the social workers have held more than 1,250 sessions with patients for various requests within 2017.

There is also a strong referral component to the national healthcare system, with specialised cultural mediators accompanying patients to follow up appointments at hospitals. The outreach team provides health promotion and education sessions in camps and shelters around the city. An intervention of the health promotion and medical teams is planned once per week in the city of Patra in Western Greece, where more than 400 refugees – among them many unaccompanied minors - are staying in abandoned settlements around the city port. Finally, MSF recently launched an innovative travel medicine service automatically activated for patients to ensure healthcare continuity, through health advice, vaccination, medication, and referrals to MSF services elsewhere.

Clinic for Victims of Torture

MSF has been providing comprehensive care to survivors of torture and other forms of violence and ill-treatment in Athens since October 2014, when it opened a specialised clinic, in collaboration with established local partners ‘Day Centre Babel’ and the ‘Greek Council for Refugees’. Recognising the high prevalence of torture among the migrant and refugee population, as well as their crucial need for rehabilitation, the clinic has cared up until now for more than 530 people from 40 countries - mainly from DR Congo, Iran, Syria and Afghanistan. The MSF team has developed a multi-disciplinary approach to assist survivors in coping with their medical and mental health problems resulting from the systematic violence they have been subjected to. The majority of beneficiaries present musculoskeletal, neurological and gastrointestinal issues, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder, extreme anxiety and depressive symptomatology.

In addition to medical, mental health and physiotherapeutic care, torture survivors are offered social support and integration services, as well as legal aid to facilitate their access to the asylum system. In 2017, the MSF team carried out more than 1,370 medical, 1,140 clinical psychological care, 900 physiotherapy and 1,010 social worker consultations with torture survivors. MSF has been advocating for improved identification, care and rehabilitation for torture survivors in Greece. This advocacy has been directed mainly towards the health authorities, as well as other NGOs, and has involved working closely with other MSF teams on the islands. The identification of torture survivors on the islands as vulnerable cases is indeed crucial for facilitating their transfer to the mainland, where they can access better care and protection.

AEGEAN ISLANDS

Lesvos

MSF has been working on the island of Lesvos since July 2015 adapting its activities according to the needs of the migrants and asylum seekers arriving. Originally present in the Registration and Identification Center (RIC) in Moria, MSF suspended its medical and mental health activities there following the EU-Turkey agreement in March 2016. In October 2016, MSF opened a clinic in the town of Mytilini for asylum seekers and migrants. The clinic provided primary health care, care for chronic diseases, sexual and reproductive health care, as well as mental health care. Since August 2017, it adapted its activities to focus on the medical and mental health needs of survivors of torture and sexual violence, as well as severe mental health conditions. In late November 2017, MSF launched an emergency intervention to improve the living conditions and access to medical care for the asylum seekers/migrants on Lesvos over the tough winter months.

The mobile clinic set up close to Moria camp has since been offering primary health care for children under 16 years old, as well as ante- and post-natal care for pregnant women and their new-borns. MSF refers patients to the local hospital for emergency cases, specialised care for chronic diseases and high-risk pregnancies. In February 2018, group psychosocial activities started for families with children. MSF teams provided more than 3,000 medical consultations, as well as more than 1,520 consultations with patients seeking advice for sexual and reproductive health care issues, and more than 1,880 individual clinical psychological care and 390 psychiatric sessions within 2017. Since end of November 2017 and till the end of the year, MSF teams also provided more than 1,600 pediatric consultations, as well as more than 150 consultations for antenatal care.

In December 2017, MSF donated winterisation items - blankets, sleeping bags, mattresses, hygiene kits - to volunteer networks active on Lesvos, for immediate distribution in Moria camp. In January 2018, MSF, in coordination with the camp management authorities proceeded to improvements in the water and sanitation infrastructure in the camp, to reduce morbidities among the camp population related to poor hygiene conditions. In early February 2018, MSF undertook an emergency measles vaccination campaign, in response to four confirmed measles cases identified among children in Moria and Kara Tepe camps. The campaign held in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO) aimed to contain the spread of the disease, covering a total of 1,300 children living in Moria and Kara Tepe camps and other alternative shelters in the city of Mytilini.

Chios

MSF started working on the island of Chios in December 2017, providing cultural mediation services at the local hospital, with the aim to raise the staff’s capacity in addressing the healthcare needs. MSF cultural mediators help in the facilitation of medical consultations in burdened departments - emergency ward, pediatrics, primary healthcare, social service - and in the provision of information at the hospital front desk. In January 2018, MSF cooperated with a local volunteer network for the distribution of 500 blankets to people living in tents and rub halls around the VIAL camp. An additional MSF donation of 750 blankets was distributed, in cooperation with the Registration and Identification Service. In February 2018, MSF donated to the NGO CERST 500 personal hygiene kits to be distributed to refugees.

As from the end of March, the MSF mobile units will be holding daily visits to the VIAL camp offering primary health, sexual and reproductive health, as well as mental health care services. A social worker is already working to complement the support package and facilitate linking patients to legal aid actors locally and in Athens. Later on, a nurse will be available to follow patients suffering from chronic diseases, administering the appropriate medication and facilitating referrals to the local hospital for further check-ups. Realising the significant gaps in access to primary healthcare, as well as mental healthcare services, for this extremely vulnerable population, MSF will gradually scale up its effort to support the national healthcare system by supporting medical staff. Finally, in a few months’ time, patients about to be transferred to the mainland will be benefitting from the MSF’s travel medicine service to guarantee healthcare continuity, through health advice, vaccination, medication, and referrals to the MSF services in Athens.

Samos

MSF has been working on the island of Samos since November 2015. MSF established a temporary shelter for vulnerable people on the island that can host up to 80 persons. They are identified and referred by the MSF team as well as other organisations working in the Registration & Identification Centre (RIC). MSF has been providing the shelter residents with referrals to the local hospital for specialized care, always accompanied by a cultural mediator. In January 2018, a significant part of the shelter capacity was handed over to Greek NGO ARSIS, in the framework of the phasing out of MSF’s presence on the island by the end of March 2018. MSF has been also providing mental health care services to a cohort of patients exhibiting mainly mood and post-traumatic stress disorders. The MSF team has held more than 810 individual clinical psychological sessions within 2017.

With extremely limited access to psychiatric care provided on the island, MSF has been also organizing psychiatric consultations with patients in need every two weeks. In preparation for the organisation’s decision to close its activities in Samos, the MSF team has been supporting the psychosocial teams of the National Center for Disease Control & Prevention (KEELPNO) in building their capacity for vulnerability assessment and clinical psychological care in the hospital. In September 2017, MSF ran a vaccination campaign, in collaboration with KEELPNO and Medin, for children till 15 years old in the MSF and other NGO-run shelters. The campaign covered all standard vaccines under public health protocols.

MSF has been also providing information on legal matters and individual assistance with asylum claims, in partnership with the Greek Council for Refugees. In 2017, 192 individuals/families were represented and supported by GCR / MSF lawyers among which 52 patients of MSF. MSF has been supporting the ‘Samos Volunteers’ group with in-kind donations; in early January 2018, a massive MSF donation of hygiene items was distributed through their volunteers’ network to the RIC population, to contribute to a needed sanitization effort of the overcrowded camp.

Further MSF proposals for improving water and sanitation facilities in the RIC, as well as rodent control, have been sadly refused by the RIC management. However, by the end of March 2018, MSF will be launching a laundry station very close to the RIC to be run by ‘Samos Volunteers’. Finally, between October 2017 and February 2018, an MSF team held a medical intervention in the police station of Vathy, in collaboration with other actors and competent authorities, visiting detainees every two weeks, in order to improve access to healthcare services and ensure the administration of needed medication and referral to the local hospital if needed.

Thousands of Refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo have continued to infiltrate the country despite the already ongoing influx, and the recent cholera outbreak in refugee settlements. Uganda Red Cross society has been on ground to respond to both, the growing numbers of refugees and the continued spread of cholera especially in Kyangwali and Kyaka II refugee settlements.

About a month ago, the ministry of health declared a cholera outbreak in the refugee hosting districts of Hoima and Kyegegwa which left over 29 people dead and over 986 suspected cases. This however, has not deterred the crossing masses from coming into the country, fleeing conflict in the neighboring DRC Congo. This has only escalated the influx and the spread of cholera in these areas.

According Irene Nakasiita, the Coordinator PR Uganda Red Cross Society, the outbreak could have been brought about by the apparent open defecation by the children and improper use of the latrines provided, although many of the refugees are crossing with the disease to Uganda.

“The sanitation here is not the best, given the fact that the numbers are big and the latrines not sufficient enough, there is continued open defecation especially by children and this among others, and has become a major cause of cholera in this area. We are however doing our best to continuously sensitize and train the refugees on how to observe proper hygiene and sanitation at both individual and community levels.” Said Nakasiita

Since fighting broke out in DRC in December last year, over 1000 refugees cross into the country everyday through the various entry points. These include Bunagana and Nteko in Kisoro district, Butogota, Ishawa and Kyeshero in Kanungu and Sabagoro, Nsonga and Canara in Hoima district. Refugees cross into Uganda from North Kivu and Ituri province across Lake Albert.

However, due to efforts by Red Cross, government and other partners, Cholera had been contained in Kyangwali by end of February with no death cases registered for quite some time.

“There admissions are coming in but they are being contained. We are no longer threatened by the death cases. We thank Uganda Red Cross for the continued support in fighting such epidemics. They have taught the people how to maintain good hygiene and have also provided water cleaning tablets to ensure consumption of clean and safe water.” Said Jolly Kebirungi, the settlement commandant Kyangwali.

Uganda Red Cross is also underway constructing a water plant which will supply 75000 liters of water to over 5000 refugees in Maratatu village in Kyangali settlement. The water plant which taps water from River Nkusi will boost the camp’s water supply and perhaps help eradicate hygiene related diseases.

“Water is life and no matter what assistance you give, water should be first in one’s life. So we are setting up a plant to serve this community since water is not enough.” Said Robert Kwesiga the Secretary General Uganda Red Cross.

Kyangwali Refugee settlement sits on 142 Square Miles and hosts over 67,000 refugees from Rwanda, Burundi, Somalis, South Sudan, Kenyan, and DRC where majority of the refugees come from, about 75% of these are women and children.

“The Red Cross has really helped us a lot since we came. They guide us always and sensitize us especially about our hygiene. They have done a great job” said Ngabu Mpipa, a refugee from Congo.

Kyangwali settlement and Kyaka II are the biggest hosts of Congolese refugees in Uganda today. Uganda Red Cross has volunteers at all entry points to receive these refugees and also provide first aid services when needed. The Volunteers are also seen spraying the feet of all new entrants at all receptions centers, monitoring latrine use, spraying around and all over the reception centers as well as sensitizing refugees on how to keep free from cholera.

The Uganda Red Cross teams remain on ground to extent various services which include registration, family tracing and reunification, psychosocial support, water provision, promotion of hygiene and sanitation and social mobilization in refugee hosting communities.

Food security outcomes expected to deteriorate earlier than usual in drought affected areas

Key Messages
- Several countries in the region have been affected by the drought conditions experienced between December 2017 and January 2018. Cropping activities and crop conditions have been adversely affected, indicating reduced prospects for 2018 seasonal production in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, South Africa, Lesotho and Zambia. In affected areas in these countries, even with the improved rains received in February, many early planted and permanently wilted crops are not expected to recover.
- Acute food insecurity outcomes are currently mixed across much of the region due to the early and mid-season drought conditions experienced in some areas. Production prospects did improve because of the February rains in northern parts of Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe resulting in Minimal (IPC Phase 1) outcomes projected through September.
- However, most households in drought-affected parts of southern Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar are already experiencing Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes and will face a limited or below-normal green harvest this season. Because the 2018 main harvest is expected to be reduced, affected households in these countries will face food gaps and livelihood protection deficits much earlier in the consumption year than usual. Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are projected for several areas between June and September. Parts of the conflict-affected Tanganyika and Kasai provinces in the DRC are also likely to be in Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and Stressed (IPC Phase 2) for the entire outlook period.
- In general, regional maize grain supplies are still expected to be above average due to the contributions of significant carryover stocks from the 2017 harvests, despite reduced 2018 main harvest prospects. These supplies should help to stabilize food prices in the drought-affected areas. Across the region, food prices are expected to follow the seasonal trend, decreasing during the harvests around May/June and stabilizing through August. The exception to these trends will be rice prices in Madagascar, which are expected to remain significantly higher than the five-year average due to consecutive seasons of drought.

The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 758th meeting, held on 14 March 2018, followed a briefing on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC):

Council took note of the statements made by the Acting Director, Peace and Security, on behalf of the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smail Chergui, and by the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission and Head of the AU Liaison Office in the DRC, Ambassador Abdou Abarry. Council also took note of the statements made by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the DRC, H.E Mr. Leonard She Okitundu, the Republic of the Congo, in its capacity as Chair of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), South Africa, as Chairman of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Executive Secretary of SADC, Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, and the United Nations (UN).

Council recalled its previous decisions on the situation in the DRC, particularly communiqués PSC/PR/COMM (DCCXII) and PSC /PR/COMM (DCCXXX), adopted respectively on 23 August and 7 November 2017.

Council reaffirmed its commitment to the independence and sovereignty of the DRC, in conformity with the relevant instruments of the AU.

Council reaffirmed the need for the full implementation of the Political Agreement of 31 December 2016 and urged the political stakeholders to comply strictly with the provisions of the Agreement, the only consensual and inclusive framework that would enable the DRC to organise peaceful, free and fair and credible elections. In this regard, Council welcomed the steps taken so far by the Government of the DRC, since the announcement made on 5 November 2017 to organise the Presidential, Legislative and Provincial elections on 23 December 2018. Council took note of the progress made, in particular the completion of the registration of voters by the National Independent Electoral Commission (CENI), resulting in the registration of over 46 million eligible voters, as well as other activities including the approval by the Parliament and promulgation by the President of the Electoral Law in December 2017. Council looked forward to the vote of the National Assembly on the law relating to the allocation of the seats in that body.

Council took note of the commitment made by the DRC to finance the electoral process with its own funds. Council, once again, called upon the countries of the region, other African countries and the international community as a whole to provide the necessary technical, logistical and financial support for the smooth organisation and holding of the elections in the DRC. In this regard, Council requested to expedite the finalisation of the required steps for the speedy operationalization of the International Group of Electoral Experts, which should provide technical support to the CENI in the conduct of the electoral process.

Council welcomed the various initiatives of the countries of the region to assist the DRC in these efforts to ensure the peaceful conduct of the electoral process. Council took note with appreciation of the efforts of SADC, in particular the appointment of a Special Envoy, in the person of His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, former President of Namibia, as well as the opening of a SADC liaison office in Kinshasa. Council also welcomed the mission of the SADC Electoral Technical Committee, which was dispatched to the DRC from 25 November to 3 December 2017, as well as the Political Assessment Mission undertaken by the Executive Secretary of SADC from 30 January to 2 February 2018. Council further welcomed the efforts of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), including initiatives taken by the Tripartite (Republic of the Congo, Angola and the DRC), Gabon, Zimbabwe and whose Presidents recently visited the DRC, to support the momentum in preparation for the election in the DRC. In this respect, Council reaffirmed the need for enhanced coordination of efforts and initiatives of the various actors in the promotion of peace, security and stability in the DRC.

Council deplored the loss of lives, injuries and arrests recorded during various incidents and appealed to the Congolese authorities to investigate the events of 31 December 2017, 21 January and 25 February 2018 and bring perpetrators to account. In this respect, Council welcomed the establishment of a Joint Commission of Inquiry to conduct the necessary investigations into these incidents, including those of 25 February 2018. Council urged the Congolese political actors to show more responsibility and the defence and security forces to demonstrate utmost restraint, at a time when no effort should be spared to establish the conditions for the organisation of free, fair and credible elections, in a peaceful climate.

Council reaffirmed its commitment to the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the Region of February 2013. Council welcomed the measures considered by the AU, SADC, the ICGLR and the UN, at the meeting of the Guarantors, held in Addis Ababa, from 24 to 26 February 2018. Council encouraged the countries of the region to honour their commitments and to pursue the efforts aimed at contributing to the overall stabilisation of the DRC, within the context of the implementation of the Framework Agreement.

Council expressed its concern about the continuing insecurity and violence in Eastern DRC, as well as in the centre of the country, particularly in the provinces of Kasai and Ituri. In this regard, Council took note of efforts of the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) in restoring security in the areas concerned. Council recalled Paragraph 3 of the communiqué of its 712th meeting and urged the Congolese authorities to take the necessary steps to strengthen security throughout the territory, including with the support of the forces of the UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO).

Council, in anticipation of the forthcoming renewal of the mandate of MONUSCO, by the UN Security Council, stressed the need to do everything to ensure that the Mission’s mandate is renewed, taking into account also of the electoral context in the DRC and the expected support of MONUSCO to the FARDC’s operations against the negative forces in Eastern DRC. Council also stressed the need for the operational capabilities of MONUSCO’s Force of the Intervention Brigade (FIB) to be enhanced and to ensure that it is equipped with the necessary resources for the effective implementation of the tasks defined in its mandate.

Council, reaffirming paragraph 8 of the communiqué of its 712th meeting held on 23 August 2017, underlined once again its decision that unilateral decisions to impose sanctions on personalities in the DRC would not provide the environment conducive for the resolution of the crisis in the DRC.

Council remains deeply concerned at the worsening humanitarian situation in several areas of the Congolese territory and appealed to the international community to provide the necessary support to meet the needs of millions of internally displaced persons and refugees. To this end, Council requested the Chairperson of the Commission to take the necessary steps to enable the AU and its Member States to participate actively in the Round Table of Donors on the humanitarian situation in the DRC, scheduled in Geneva, on 13 April 2018.

Council, recalling the Communiqué of its 747th meeting on the organisation of elections in Africa and the Decision of the 30th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union on the Report of the PSC on the State of Peace and Security in Africa, called upon the Commission to take the necessary steps to coordinate the multifarious support that AU member states could provide for the organisation of elections in the DRC. Council welcomed the support provided by MONUSCO to the development of the electoral register and encouraged all partners to extend support to the electoral process in the DRC, without precondition.

Council decided to remain actively seized of the matter.

Le Conseil de paix et de sécurité (CPS) de l’Union africaine (UA) en sa 758ème réunion, tenue le 14 mars 2018, a suivi une communication faite sur la situation en République Démocratique du Congo (RDC).

Le Conseil a pris note des communications faites par le Directeur par intérim du Département Paix et Sécurité, au nom du Commissaire à la paix et à la sécurité, l’Ambassadeur Smail Chergui, ainsi que par le Représentant spécial du Président de la Commission de l’UA et chef du Bureau de Liaison de l’UA en RDC, l’Ambassadeur Abdou Abarry. Le Conseil a également pris note des déclarations faites par le Vice-Premier Ministre, Ministre des Affaires étrangères et de l’Intégration régionale de la RDC, S.E.M Leonard She Okitundu, la République du Congo, en sa qualité de Président de la Conférence internationale sur la Région des Grands Lacs (CIRGL), l’Afrique du Sud, en sa qualité de Président de la Communauté de développement de l’Afrique australe (SADC), la Secrétaire exécutive de la SADC, Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax et les Nations unies.

Le Conseil a rappelé ses décisions antérieures sur la situation en RDC, notamment les communiqués PSC/PR/COMM(DCCXII) et PSC/PR /COMM(DCCXXX), adoptés respectivement le 23 août et le 7 novembre 2017.

Le Conseil a réaffirmé son attachement à l’indépendance et à la souveraineté de la RDC, conformément aux instruments pertinents de l’UA.

Le Conseil a réaffirmé la nécessité de la mise en œuvre intégrale de l’Accord politique du 31 décembre 2016, et a exhorté l’ensemble des acteurs politiques congolais, à se conformer scrupuleusement aux dispositions de l’Accord, seul cadre consensuel et inclusif pouvant permettre à la RDC de parvenir à organiser des élections pacifiques, crédibles et transparentes. A cet égard, le Conseil s’est félicité des mesures prises à ce jour par le Gouvernement de la RDC depuis l’annonce faite le 5 novembre 2017, d’organiser les élections présidentielles législatives et provinciales, le 23 décembre 2018. Le Conseil a pris note des progrès accomplis, notamment le parachèvement des inscriptions sur les listes électorales par la Commission électorale nationale indépendante (CENI), qui a permis l’inscription de 46 millions d’électeurs, ainsi que d’autres activités, y compris l’adoption par le Parlement et la promulgation par le Président de la loi électorale, en décembre 2017. Le Conseil attend avec intérêt le vote par l’Assemblée nationale de la loi portant répartition des sièges.

Le Conseil a pris note de l’engagement de la RDC à assurer le financement du processus électoral sur fonds propres. Le Conseil a appelé, une fois encore, les pays de la région, les autres pays africains et l’ensemble de la Communauté internationale à apporter l’appui technique, logistique et financier nécessaire pour la bonne organisation et la tenue des élections. A cet égard, le Conseil a demandé l’accélération des dispositions nécessaires à l’opérationnalisation rapide du Groupe international d’experts électoraux qui doit apporter un appui technique à la CENI dans la conduite du processus électoral.

Le Conseil s’est félicité des différentes initiatives des pays de la région pour assister la RDC dans ses efforts visant à garantir un déroulement pacifique du processus électoral. Le Conseil a pris note avec appréciation des efforts de la SADC, en particulier la nomination d’un Envoyé spécial, en la personne de son Excellence Hifikepunye Pohamba, ancien Président de Namibie, ainsi que l’ouverture prochaine d’un bureau de liaison de la SADC à Kinshasa. Le Conseil s’est également félicité de la mission du Comité technique électoral de la SADC, du 25 novembre au 3 décembre 2017, ainsi que de la mission d’évaluation politique conduite par la Secrétaire exécutive de la SADC, du 30 janvier au 2 février 2018, en RDC. Le Conseil s’est également félicité des efforts déployés par la Conférence internationale sur la Région des Grands Lacs (CIRGL), la Communauté économique des Etats de l’Afrique centrale (CEEAC) y compris des initiatives prises par la Tripartite (République du Congo, Angola et RDC), le Gabon, le Zimbabwe, dont les Présidents ont effectué récemment des visites en RDC, en vue de soutenir la dynamique en perspective des élections en RDC. A cet égard, le Conseil a réaffirmé la nécessité d’une coordination renforcée des efforts et initiatives des différents acteurs dans le cadre de la promotion de la paix, de la sécurité et de la stabilité en RDC.

Le Conseil a déploré les pertes en vies humaines, ainsi que les blessés et les arrestations enregistrés lors de diverses manifestations, et a lancé un appel aux autorités congolaises, afin qu’elles fassent rapidement la lumière sur les incidents des 31 décembre 2017, 21 janvier et 25 février 2018, pour que leurs auteurs répondent de leurs actes. A cet égard, le Conseil s’est félicité de la mise en place d’une Commission d’enquête mixte pour mener les investigations nécessaires sur ces incidents, y compris ceux du 25 février 2018. Le Conseil a demandé instamment aux acteurs politiques congolais de faire preuve de plus de responsabilité et aux forces de défense et de sécurité de la plus grande retenue, en ce moment où tout doit être mis en œuvre pour permettre de réunir les conditions de la tenue d’élections libres et crédibles, dans un climat apaisé.

Le Conseil a réaffirmé son attachement à la mise en œuvre de l’Accord-cadre pour la paix, la sécurité et la coopération pour la RDC et la région de février 2013. Le Conseil s’est félicité des mesures envisagées par l’UA, la SADC, la CIRGL et les Nations unies, lors de la réunion des Garants de l’Accord-cadre tenue à Addis Abéba, du 24 au 26 février 2018. Le Conseil a encouragé les pays de la région à honorer leurs engagements et à poursuivre leurs efforts visant à contribuer à la stabilisation globale de la RDC dans le cadre de la mise en œuvre de l’Accord-cadre.

Le Conseil a exprimé sa préoccupation face à la persistance de l’insécurité et des violences à l’Est de la RDC, ainsi qu’au centre du pays, en particulier dans les provinces du Kasaï et dans l’Ituri. A cet égard, le Conseil a pris note des efforts déployés par les Forces armées de la RDC (FARDC) pour rétablir la sécurité dans les zones concernées. Le Conseil a rappelé le paragraphe 3 du communiqué de sa 712ème réunion et a exhorté les autorités congolaises à prendre les dispositions utiles pour renforcer la sécurité sur toute l’étendue du territoire y compris avec l’appui des forces de la Mission de l’Organisation des Nations unies pour la stabilisation en RDC (MONUSCO).

Le Conseil, en perspective du renouvellement prochain du mandat de la MONUSCO par le Conseil de sécurité des Nations unies, a souligné la nécessité de tout mettre en œuvre pour que le mandat de la Mission soit renouvelé, en tenant compte du contexte électoral en RDC et du soutien attendu de la MONUSCO aux opérations des FARDC contre les forces négatives à l’Est de la RDC. Le Conseil a également souligné la nécessité du renforcement des capacités opérationnelles de la Force de la Brigade d’intervention (FIB) et de s’assurer qu’elle dispose des ressources nécessaires à la mise en œuvre effective de son mandat.

Le Conseil, réaffirmant le paragraphe 8 du communiqué de sa 712ème réunion tenue le 23 août 2017, a souligné une fois encore que les décisions unilatérales d’imposer des sanctions contre des personnalités en RDC ne contribuent pas à créer l’environnement propice à la résolution de la crise en RDC.

Le Conseil reste profondément préoccupé par l’aggravation de la situation humanitaire dans plusieurs zones du territoire congolais et a lancé un appel à la communauté internationale pour qu’elle apporte le soutien nécessaire, afin de répondre aux besoins des millions de personnes déplacées internes et réfugiés. A cet effet, le Conseil a demandé au Président de la Commission de prendre les dispositions requises pour permettre à l’UA et à ses Etats membres de prendre une part active à la Table ronde des bailleurs de fonds sur la situation humanitaire en RDC prévue à Genève, le 13 avril 2018.

Le Conseil, rappelant le communiqué de sa 747ème réunion, relative à la tenue des élections en Afrique ainsi que la Décision de la 30ème Session ordinaire de la Conférence des Chefs d’Etat et de Gouvernement de l’Union sur le Rapport du CPS et sur l’état de la paix et de la sécurité en Afrique, a demandé à la Commission de prendre les mesures nécessaires en vue de coordonner les appuis multiformes que les Etats membres de l’UA pourraient apporter dans l’organisation des élections en RDC. Le Conseil s’est félicité de l’appui apporté par la MONUSCO dans le cadre du processus d’élaboration du fichier électoral et a encouragé tous les partenaires à soutenir le processus électoral en RDC, sans condition préalable.

Le Conseil a décidé de rester activement saisi de la question.

Ceci est un résumé des déclarations du porte-parole du HCR Babar Baloch – à qui toute citation peut être attribuée – lors de la conférence de presse du 16 mars 2018 au Palais des Nations à Genève.

Le HCR, l’Agence des Nations Unies pour les réfugiés, travaille avec des organisations partenaires dans l’ouest de l’Ouganda pour venir en aide à un nombre croissant de personnes - pour la plupart des femmes et des enfants – qui ont fui d’effroyables violences interethniques et des abus sexuels en République démocratique du Congo (RDC).

Depuis début 2018, plus de 57 000 réfugiés ont déjà fui les violences intercommunautaires dans l’est de la RDC. Une majorité écrasante d’entre eux - environ 77,5 % - sont des femmes et des enfants.

En l’espace de trois jours seulement, entre le 10 et le 13 mars, plus de 4 000 nouveaux arrivants ont fui les provinces de l’Ituri et du Nord-Kivu vers l’Ouganda. Ces chiffres marquent une nette hausse par rapport à l’année 2017 durant laquelle 44 000 personnes au total avaient fui. Le HCR craint que des milliers d’autres arrivent en Ouganda si la situation sécuritaire à l’intérieur de la RDC ne s’améliore pas immédiatement.

La majorité des réfugiés rejoignent l’Ouganda de l’autre coté du lac Albert à bord de bateaux de fortune en provenance de l’Ituri. La traversée a déjà couté la vie de plusieurs réfugiés. La situation a été rendue encore plus dangereuse ces derniers jours du fait des mauvaises conditions météorologiques. D’autres continuent d’arriver à pied près des villages de Kisoro et Ntoroko.

Parmi les nouveaux arrivants, beaucoup sont profondément traumatisés par la violence perpétrée contre eux dans leur pays d’origine. Ils sont épuisés, affamés, assoiffés, malades et ont fui avec peu ou pas d’effets personnels.

Bien qu’il soit difficile d’obtenir un état détaillé de la situation en RDC en raison du manque d’accès, le HCR a reçu, de la part des réfugiés congolais qui ont rejoint l’Ouganda, des récits des violences effrayantes - y compris des viols, des meurtres et des séparations familiales.

La RDC est le théâtre d’une détérioration de la situation sécuritaire, de conflits internes et de tensions intercommunautaires. Des hommes armés attaqueraient des villages, pilleraient et incendieraient des maisons, tuant aveuglement des populations civiles et kidnappant de jeunes hommes et des adolescents. Selon de nombreuses informations, les violences prennent des dimensions ethniques au fur et à mesure que des groupes tribaux s’engagent dans des attaques de représailles.

Des dizaines de réfugiés ont témoigné auprès du personnel du HCR en Ouganda sur les violences et les agressions sexuelles qu’ils ont subies en RDC. La grande majorité des survivants sont des femmes et des filles, ainsi qu’un plus petit nombre d’hommes et d’adolescents.

Ces informations alarmantes ont conduit le HCR, l’Agence des Nations Unies pour les réfugiés, et ses partenaires à renforcer les systèmes en place pour identifier et apporter un soutien aux survivants de violence sexuelle et sexiste.

Le HCR a déployé du personnel et des ressources supplémentaires considérables pour identifier les victimes et renforcer le soutien. Les efforts comprennent le renforcement du dépistage médical dans les sites de débarquement sur les rives du lac Albert ainsi que le dépistage de la violence sexuelle et sexiste dans les centres d’accueil, et la mise à disposition d’espaces privatifs séparés hommes/femmes.

En collaboration avec nos partenaires, nous avons déployé du personnel supplémentaire spécialement formé aux soins psychosociaux pour accroître le soutien aux réfugiés qui ont survécu à la violence sexuelle et sexiste. Nous menons d’autres activités de sensibilisation auprès des dirigeants et des réseaux communautaires afin d’assurer que les réfugiés sont au courant des services qui leur sont offerts.

Nous travaillons également avec nos partenaires humanitaires pour sauver des vies après qu’une épidémie mortelle de choléra a tué au moins 32 réfugiés. Le nombre de cas signalés est passé de 668 à 160 depuis l’apparition de l’épidémie en février.

L’appel de fonds pour l’Ouganda, d’un montant de près de 180 millions de dollars, demeure sous-financé, ce qui met à rude épreuve les capacités des organisations humanitaires à fournir une aide et une assistance vitales. Dans le cadre de cet appel de fonds, les besoins financiers du HCR, qui s’élèvent à 118,3 millions de dollars, ne sont financés qu’à hauteur de 3%. Les besoins humanitaires sont toutefois très importants, y compris la nourriture, l’eau, les abris et les soins de santé.

Pour de plus amples informations à ce sujet, veuillez svp contacter :

En Ouganda, Teresa Ongaro, ongaro@unhcr.org, +254 735 337 608
En Ouganda, Duniya Aslam Khan, khand@unhcr.org, +256 772 701 101
En RDC, Andreas Kirchhof, kirchhof@unhcr.org, +243 81 700 9484
A Genève, Aikaterini Kitidi, kitidi@unhcr.org, +41 79 580 8334
A Genève, Babar Baloch, baloch@unhcr.org, +41 79 513 95 49 49

La Représentante spéciale du Secrétaire général des Nations Unies en République démocratique du Congo (RDC), Leïla Zerrougui, a poursuivi vendredi sa visite au Kasaï. Elle est arrivée à Mbuji-Mayi en provenance de Kananga. Sur place, la cheffe de la MONUSCO qui a échangé avec le gouverneur du Kasaï-Oriental Alphonse Ngoyi Kasanji a plaidé pour le respect des libertés fondamentales pour garantir le succès des scrutins à venir.

« On maintient l’ordre, c’est normal, mais le maintien de l’ordre n’est pas une répression. C’est le fait de s’assurer que les droits sont exercés dans le cadre du respect de la constitution. La marche, c’est un droit constitutionnel. Préparer des élections crédibles, c’est permettre à l’opposition de s’exprimer, c’est permettre à la société civile d’agir. C’est comme ça que les élections seront crédibles », a affirmé Mme Zerrougui à l’issue de sa rencontre avec le gouverneur du Kasaï-Oriental. Ce dernier était accompagné des membres du conseil provincial de sécurité.​

Leïla Zerrougui, a entamé jeudi 15 mars sa première visite au grand Kasaï. A la tête d’une forte délégation, elle a transité par Kananga, avant de se rendre à Tshikapa, pour une visite de quelques heures.

« J’ai commencé par le Kasaï, parce que cette province a été au cœur de violences inouïes, qui se sont déroulées ici. On a un million de déplacés. Donc, c’est quand même les conséquences dramatiques de la crise sécuritaire et humanitaire dans cette province », a expliqué Mme Zerrougui.

A son retour à Kananga dans l’après-midi, Leila Zerrougui a rencontré l'archevêque Marcel Madila, avec qui elle a discuté de la situation de la région. Elle a également rencontré des représentants de la société civile et des humanitaires.

By Bruce Mulenga

Over 15,000 DR Congolese refugees have fled their country following violent conflicts between Government soldiers and rebel groups. The refugees are currently hosted at newly opened Kenani transit centre and Mantapala refugee settlement in Nchelenge district, North of Zambia. The refugees are facing unique protection risks as a result of insecure shelter provisions, broken community structures, insufficient food, water and sanitation. Children and women are most vulnerable, with an increased risk of suffering from malnutrition and water-borne diseases.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is leading the timely provision of international protection and life- saving assistance to DR Congolese refugees in Nchelenge, with remarkable support from UN Volunteers.

Fortunatus Kambaragwe and Dr. Jonathan Calbayan are both international UN Volunteers based in Nchelenge, in Northern Zambia, and are working as Associate Programme Officer and Public Health Coordinator, respectively.

Kambaragwe is responsible for assessing the situation of refugees, developing and monitoring protection and assistance projects implemented through the UN and NGO partners. He also ensures that the projects implemented comply with UNHCR Protection policies. “In my day to day work I support the programme in managing resources as well as supporting the office wherever and whenever needed. For instance from October 2017 up to now I have been part of Burundian refugee emergency response where I exhibited true spirit of volunteerism and I went beyond my call of duty to ensure refugees are living a better and dignified life”, says Fortunatus Kambaragwe.

Dr. Calbayan is responsible for ensuring that lifesaving health interventions from among different health actors including UN Agencies, NGO partners and government authorities are well-coordinated and within national and international standards. He also takes turns in attending to critical medical issues faced by refugees before they are referred to Saint Paul’s General Hospital, in Nchelenge district, for specialized attention. “I am leading the coordination among different health actors, including the ministry of Health, MSF-Spain and other UN agencies and conducting and facilitating weekly health and nutrition sector coordination meetings. Working with different partners and refugees has contributed to my personal and professional development through enhancing of my inter-personal skills and meeting new people and developing friendships”, says Dr. Calbayan.

Dr. Calbayan adds that working for UNHCR as a medical doctor has exposed him to deeper understanding of child malnutrition. “I bring along my education skills and a sense of initiative to ensure that children are adequately protected through effective health provision. Nothing makes me happier than to see the faces of the little children light up with hope for a better future”, says Dr. Calbayan. Both Fortunatus Kambaragwe and Dr. Jonathan believe that working as UN Volunteers at UNHCR has given them a lot of opportunities to understand difficult issues refugees face to rebuild their lives such as access to medical care, finding a job and equitable access to relief services.

The work of the UN Volunteers with UNHCR has immensely contributed to a more secure environment and health conditions of refugees at Kenani and Mantapala in Zambia. The two UN Volunteers have learnt to be resilient working in difficult circumstances with basic facilities. They are, however, happy that their work in Zambia has given them more impetus and passion to pursue humanitarian work and learn more about different protection mechanisms of the UNHCR.

Faits saillants

• Une crise alimentaire menace toute la province de l’Ituri à la suite de l’insécurité à Djugu.
  

Aperçu de la situation

Les civils continuent de faire les frais du cycle de violences observées dans la majeure partie du Territoire de Djugu depuis le mois de décembre 2017. Le 13 mars, une quarantaine de personnes ont été tuées par des assaillants dans six localités dont Joo, Gbii, Kayuba et Ngaliko, à plus de 100 km au nord-est de Bunia, dans le groupement de Losandrema; tous ces villages sont quasi-déserts. Selon le chef du groupement, Losandrema est composé de 108 villages (environ 100 000 habitants) dont 96 ont été incendiés entre décembre 2017 et mars 2018.

Ce contexte d’insécurité a provoqué des mouvements de population vers Tchomia, Bunia et l’Ouganda. Ces déplacés ont perdu tous leurs moyens de subsistances ; des infrastructures de bases (écoles, structures de santé) ont été détruites). Par ailleurs, le lancement des opérations militaires pour la reconquête de nombreux villages, en début de cette semaine, pourrait considérablement réduire l’accès humanitaire alors qu’il y a de nombreuses personnes dans le besoin dans ces zones instables.

L’insécurité observée dans la région de Djugu fait courir la menace d’une crise alimentaire à toute la province de l’Ituri, selon l’Inspection provinciale de l’agriculture, pêche et élevage. Le Territoire de Djugu est considéré comme l’un de principaux greniers de l’Ituri. Les experts du secteur de sécurité alimentaire estiment que dans les conditions actuelles, une bonne partie de la population de Djugu a perdu la récolte de la saison agricole « B » en 2017 et court le risque de rater toute la saison agricole « A » de 2018. Les perspectives alimentaires aux court et moyen termes sont négatives aussi bien pour les déplacés que pour les communautés d’accueil. A cause de l’insécurité, les prix de principales denrées alimentaires (haricot, maïs, manioc, légumes) sont à la hausse dans la ville de Bunia et dans toutes les zones de déplacement. Il est probable que la tendance à la hausse des prix se poursuive les mois à venir.

Coordination générale

La communauté humanitaire retient les zones de santé d’Angumu, Kambala (Territoire de Mahagi) et de Rethy (Territoire de Djugu) comme zones d’intervention dans le deuxième plan de réponse à la crise de Djugu. Elles ont été retenues sur base de l’accessibilité humanitaire, de la vulnérabilité des populations et de la pression que les déplacés exercent sur les familles d’accueil. Pour rappel, les humanitaires ont élaboré, en février dernier, un premier plan de réponse chiffré à environ 9 millions de dollars pour une durée de trois mois en faveur de 50 000 personnes déplacées à Bunia et ses périphéries.