HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE TO RENEWED CLASHES IN NORTH KIVU

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001201 SIPDIS AIDAC SIPDIS STATE PASS TO USAID/W USAID/DCHA FOR MHESS, GGOTTLIEB DCHA/OFDA FOR KLUU, ACONVERY, KCHANNELL, MSHIRLEY DCHA/FFP FOR TANDERSON, NCOX, TMCRAE DCHA/OTI FOR RJENKINS, KHUBER AFR FOR BDUNFORD, CTHOMPSON NAIROBI FOR USAID/OFDA/ECARO JMYER, ADWYER NAIROBI FOR USAID/FFP DSUTHER GENEVA FOR NYKYLOH NSC FOR PMARCHAM BRUSSELS FOR USAID PLERNER NEW YORK FOR TMALY USMISSION UN ROME FOR RNEWBERG E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID MOPS PHUM PREL CG SUBJECT: HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE TO RENEWED CLASHES IN NORTH KIVU -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. Fighting has escalated in areas of North Kivu since dissident General Nkunda announced a renewed military offensive against Congolese armed forces on October 8. As of October 10, clashes are ongoing in three locations in Masisi and Rutshuru territories. Relief agencies report some new population displacements in southern Rutshuru , although residents had previously fled affected towns in southern Masisi, minimizing additional movements to date. The current insecurity is hampering some humanitarian response efforts for conflict-affected populations beyond the Goma area. In light of the evolving situation, UN and relief agencies are reviewing contingency plans. End summary. -------------- RENEWED MILITARY OFFENSIVE -------------- ¶2. On October 8, dissident General Laurent Nkunda announced a renewed military offensive against government forces in North Kivu. Fighting has escalated since the announcement, and is ongoing along three fronts in Masisi and Rutshuru territories as of October 10, according to the UN Mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC). Troops loyal to Nkunda reportedly initiated the conflict in two of the locations, specifically in several towns surrounding Mushake in southern Masisi and between Kichanga and Kashuga in northern Masisi. In addition, MONUC reports that government forces launched an offensive near Bunagana, along the Congo-Uganda border in Rutshuru. -------------- HUMANITARIAN IMPACT -------------- ¶3. The fighting has reportedly displaced several thousand people in Rutshuru, but additional displacement in Masisi is so far limited as many residents had fled previous clashes in August and September. Preliminary reports indicate 2,140 families have arrived in Rugari from the Rumanbago area of southern Rutshuru, and several hundred families are arriving in Shasha, Kikuku, and Nyanzale towns from the fighting in Masisi. In addition, an estimated 300 families have arrived in temporary settlement sites west of Goma in the past several days. USAID field staff note that timely and accurate information on population movements and humanitarian conditions is difficult to obtain owing to insecurity and limited access, as well as the distribution of displaced persons between spontaneous settlements and host families. ¶4. As of October 10, relief operations are ongoing for internally displaced persons in Goma-area settlement sites. However, MONUC escorts are currently unavailable for assessments or response activities, thereby delaying planned interventions throughout Masisi and Rutshuru by Goma-based relief agencies. A UN World Food Program (WFP) convoy remains in Masisi town as of October 10, after delivering 100 metric tons (MT) of emergency food aid, owing to insecurity along the route back to Goma. The fighting has also led WFP to postpone the distribution of 313 MT of food aid, planned for 18,800 displaced persons between Kitembo and Minova on October 10. -------------- RESPONSE -------------- ¶5. UN and relief agencies are in the process of reviewing and updating contingency plans based on the evolving security and humanitarian situation in North Kivu Province. On October 5, MONUC advised non-governmental relief organizations to update emergency KINSHASA 00001201 002 OF 002 contingency plans covering response priorities and evacuation procedures. On October 10, MONUC presented a draft contingency strategy to the humanitarian community based in Goma. ¶6. USAID Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance staff are closely monitoring the humanitarian situation in North Kivu, and coordinating with partner relief agencies regarding continued emergency assistance where security and access allow. BROCK