ReliefWeb: Updates by Country

15.11.2022 17:50 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: UN Office of the SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict New York, 15 November 2022- The children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continue to endure a disturbingly high number of grave violations as a result of conflict, including an intensification of armed activities by a growing number of armed groups, particularly in Ituri and North Kivu. The realities of children in the DRC continues to be one characterised by violence and instability, in which their rights are not being realised, despite a decrease in the total number of grave violations against children compared to the previous reporting period, a new released today shows. As outlined in the report, numbers remain outrageously high in the DRC, which continues to be the situation with the highest annual verified violations against children in armed conflict. A total of 7,616 grave violations against 6,073 children were verified and attributed to 78 parties to conflict between April 2020 and March 2022. At least 1,249 children were victims of multiple violations, with children abducted in order to be recruited and used, and then killed or maimed while associated, or forced to endure sexual violence. Ninety-three percent of all violations were attributed to armed groups. The reporting period was largely marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and related responses as well as other public health emergencies, a context during which the implementation of key activities of the United Nations in the country was seriously hampered. The actual number of violations is therefore believed to be even higher. "No less than 6,073 children endured at least one grave violation. This is simply appalling. Children in the DRC are enduring intolerable levels of violence, and I call on the Government and on armed groups to strengthen their engagement with the United Nations to end and prevent all grave violations against children and hold perpetrators accountable," said the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba. The decrease in the overall number of grave violations compared to the previous report is largely explained by a diminished number of children recruited and used, though it remains the highest verified violation with 3,901 children affected. Abduction and sexual violence against children were the two other most verified violations with 1,548 and 944 children, respectively. While armed groups remain the main perpetrators, sexual violence by Government forces continues to be a source of serious concern despite the action plan signed with the United Nations in 2012. On the other hand, the killing and maiming of 929 children and attacks on schools and hospitals with 281 incidents witnessed the sharpest increases of over 200 per cent, respectively, compared to the previous reporting period. Military operations, confrontations between parties, attacks on civilian communities and inter-communal violence, all took a heavy toll on children, and the Special Representative calls on all parties to refrain from targeting civilians during military activities, especially children, and to take all necessary measures to protect boys and girls from the effects of their activities and operations. Engagement and Progress for Children The continued commitment of the Government to consolidate the gains of its action plan of 2012 and to sustainably prevent the recruitment and use of children by its armed and security forces continues to positively benefit children. The joint screening mechanisms of the FARDC and the United Nations in FARDC recruitment and training camps to prevent the enlistment of children continued to be instrumental in the protection of children. At least 3,901 children were separated from armed groups in different ways during the reporting period, including following UN advocacy. The Special Representative calls on all armed groups to release all children from their ranks with immediate effect, including through dialogue, the signing of action plans or unilateral commitments and roadmaps, and hand them over to civilian child protection actors so they can urgently access comprehensive, long-term, and sustainable reintegration programmes with gender- and age-appropriate services. "Children released from armed groups must be supported in their reintegration so they can rebuild their lives. I urge the Government and the international community to ensure the needs of these children are met, including through political and financial support for reintegration programmes," emphasized the Special Representative. She welcomes efforts by the Government to hold perpetrators of recruitment and use, sexual violence and other grave violations against children accountable, including through the prosecutions of suspected perpetrators among members of the Government armed and security forces. Furthermore, trainings on conflict-related sexual violence were conducted by the United Nations with the FARDC, as they remained listed for rape and other forms of sexual violence against children in the annexes of the report of the UN Secretary-General on children and armed conflict . "I encourage the Government to accelerate the implementation of all aspects of its 2012 action plan related to sexual violence against children. The United Nations will continue to support the Government to end and prevent all grave violations against children, including through its dedicated child protection teams in the country, to which I want to express my gratitude for their commitment to conflict-affected children," Virginia Gamba concluded. Overview of grave violations Recruitment and use Killing and maiming Sexual violence Abduction Attacks on schools and hospitals Denial of humanitarian access For additional information, please contact: Fabienne Vinet, Communications Officer, Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict +1-212-963-5986 / +1-917-288-5791 / vinet@un.org Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook:

14.11.2022 23:51 Countries: Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Niger, Nigeria Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Please refer to the attached Infographic.

14.11.2022 23:51 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: International Organization for Migration Please refer to the attached file. Depuis novembre 2021, les attaques de l’ex-groupe rebelle M23 ont repris et se sont multipliées contre les forces armées congolaises dans l’Est de la RDC. Ces affrontements se sont encore intensifiés depuis mars 2022, à la faveur desquels le M23 s'est emparé en juin 2022 de la ville de Bunagana, située à la frontière avec l'Ouganda, ainsi que d'autres localités voisines dans les régions de Jomba, Bweza, Kisigari et Busanza, en territoire de Rutshuru. Fin octobre 2022, les anciens rebelles du M23 ont étendu leur emprise après plusieurs offensives, élargissant leur contrôle sur l'ensemble de la chefferie de Bwisha, y compris la capitale du territoire et la ville de Kiwanja, avec des plans présumés d'extension sur l'ensemble du territoire. Dans le territoire de Rutshuru, ces attaques ont déplacé 234 488 personnes depuis les zones de combat vers des zones considérées comme sécurisées dans les territoires de Nyiragongo, Rutshuru et Lubero, notamment les zones de santé de Nyiragongo, Bambo, Kayna et Kibirizi. La situation sécuritaire dans le territoire reste volatile et affecte l'accès aux populations prises dans le conflit entre les insurgés et les forces gouvernementales. Des attaques contre les communautés ont lieu presque quotidiennement depuis la fin du mois d'octobre, avec un niveau de violence qui déplace les populations des communautés affectées en augmentant leur vulnérabilité. Les attaques fréquentes sur le territoire ont accru la précarité de la situation humanitaire de milliers de personnes déplacées internes . Les partenaires humanitaires, gouvernementaux et les membres des communautés d'accueil fournissent une assistance dans les zones d'accueil, mais elle est loin d'être suffisante pour répondre aux besoins du grand nombre de PDIs qui se sont installées dans des sites, des établissements informels, des communautés d'accueil, des maisons louées, des lieux de culte, des bâtiments publics et des postes frontières. En conséquence, leur accès à la nourriture, à la santé, aux abris, à l'eau et à l'assainissement a été sévèrement réduit, d'où la nécessité d'une assistance urgente en matière de nutrition, d'abris, d'eau, d'hygiène et d'assainissement et de santé, y compris un soutien psychosocial. Sur le nombre estimé de personnes déplacées, 1 464 ménages correspondant à 5 856 individus sont retournés entre le 2 et le 5 novembre 2022. Ces retours ont été les plus fréquents dans les groupements de Kisigari et de Bweza. Une sensibilisation motivant le retour des populations précédemment déplacées dans les zones contrôlées par le M23, l'aggravation des conditions de vie dans les localités d'accueil et des raisons économiques ont été les principales motivations au retour. D'autre part, la situation humanitaire est particulièrement précaire dans les zones contrôlées par le groupe rebelle M23, car de nombreuses personnes affectées dans ces zones n'ont pas encore reçu d'aide en raison du manque de ressources et surtout du manque d'accès physique.

14.11.2022 15:30 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: Insecurity Insight Please refer to the attached file. Context On 2 September 2022 a United Nations Humanitarian Air Service helicopter managed by the World Food Programme crashed in the Mashanga area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo , resulting in the injury of three personnel on board. The area is located in the Virunga National Park, around 13 km from Goma city in North Kivu province. The cause of the crash is currently not publicly known. An analysis conducted by Insecurity Insight of the public reactions to the incident on DRC social media platforms confirms a longstanding trend of general mistrust expressed on such platforms towards some UN organisations operating in the eastern DRC, a sentiment that tends to surface in response to unfortunate events of this kind.

13.11.2022 22:21 Countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, World Source: World Food Programme Please refer to the attached Infographic.

11.11.2022 20:20 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Sources: Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nutrition Cluster, UN Children's Fund Please refer to the attached file. Le SNSAP est basé sur les indicateurs calculés à partir des données nutritionnelles collectées dans les sites sentinelles des structures de soins et en faisant une triangulation avec les données issues d’autres secteurs. Site sentinelle Un site sentinelle est une aire de santé située dans une Zone de santé. En vue d’avoir une certaine représentativité des données, le choix des sites sentinelles se fait au hasard à partir des aires sélectionnées au préalable. Les critères de sélection sont basés sur la population, la fréquentation CPS, CPON et CPN

11.11.2022 03:20 Countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda Source: Peace Direct Marius Ruhanamirindi, Peace Insight's Local Peacebuilding Expert in DRC, shares insights on the latest developments in Eastern DRC as the resurgence of rebel group M23 jeopardises peacebuilding. The province of North Kivu in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is facing significant instability due to the resurgent March 23 Movement , which has resumed clashes with the Congolese armed forces in the territories of Rutshuru and Nyiragongo since June 2022. The Congolese government claims the aggression is orchestrated by Rwanda, using M23 as a cover, arguing that M23 would otherwise have neither the manpower nor the material capacity to confront the FARDC. Unfortunately, these clashes are not only leading to the mass displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians, mostly women and children, but also to high tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, which may hinder prospects for peace and stability in the entire Great Lakes region. Accusations from both sides After occupying the town of Bunagana on the border with Uganda since June 2022, the M23 rebels advanced to seize several other towns and localities in the Rutshuru territory during October. The towns included Rutshuru and Kiwanja, as well as the border post of Kitagoma on the DRC-Ugandan border. Hundreds of thousands of local people have fled either to Uganda or other localities still considered safe. Pointing the finger at Rwanda with claims that it had irrefutable proof of their aggression, Kinshasa decided to expel the Rwanda’s ambassador in the DRC at the tail end of the higher council of defense meeting held on 29 October, which was chaired by President Felix Tshisekedi. Rwanda, for its part, has always rejected Kinshasa's accusations and accused the DRC of supporting the FDLR , an armed group opposed to the government in Kigali and operating on Congolese soil since the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. These accusations on both sides accentuate the mistrust and tensions between not only the leaders, but also the communities of these two countries, which are historically and geographically fated to live together. The international community, as well as regional peace mechanisms, could play a crucial role in tackling this impasse to avoid the escalation of violence and the outbreak of conflict that could engulf the entire Great Lakes region. The limits of a militarised responses to bring peace The root causes of the security crisis in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region cannot be resolved solely with military forces. All countries in the Great Lakes region should understand that peace in one country is dependent on peace in the other. Eastern DRC, where there is limited state presence, is considered the rear base and refuge of foreign armed groups that engage in incursions in neighbouring countries like Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi. For those neighbouring countries, this provides ‘legitimate’ cause for their militaries to invade Eastern DRC under the pretext of stopping those groups. Kinshasa is doubly threatened not only by local but also by foreign armed groups that kill civilians, commit sexual violence, plunder natural resources and destroy the environment through logging and massive poaching – all under the watchful eye of the international community. The shared security challenges caused by the plethora of armed groups across the region should incentivise the leaders of the Great Lakes region to look beyond their own economic interests and work together to find definitive and peaceful solutions to this common threat. Local peace initiatives risk being relegated to the background by donors who favour funding humanitarian interventions only, forgetting that the population needs peace above all. Impact of this situation on local peacebuilding initiatives The continuing tensions between Rwanda and the DRC are negatively impacting local peacebuilding efforts in the Great Lakes region. According to the Coordinator of the Bureau de Soutien pour la consolidation de la paix en RDC , hate speech against Rwandans and against any Rwandan-speaking person has intensified in recent days. This undermines the social cohesion, peaceful cohabitation and peace education initiatives developed by local peace organisations. In addition, women traders who live off the cross-border economic activities between the town of Goma in the DRC and Gisenyi in Rwanda are being penalised and their families are suffering - usually, these commercial exchanges for livelihoods contribute to the peaceful cohabitation between the two border towns. Local peace initiatives risk being relegated to the background by donors who favour funding humanitarian interventions only, forgetting that the population needs peace above all. For the programme officer of the local organisation Bénévolat pour l'Enfance: “The diplomatic crisis between the DRC and Rwanda is having a very negative impact on peacebuilding initiatives in the African Great Lakes sub-region. Firstly, the projects initiated in the conflict transformation process will have little chance of achieving their results, due to the lack of trust and the climate of mistrust between the beneficiaries of these projects. Secondly, the crisis is becoming a real source of slowing down cross-border commercial activities, some of which are carried out by women small traders and supported by local organisations in the framework of peace building in the Great Lakes region.” The role of the international community and the DRC in the search for peace With more than 20 years in the DRC, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Congo – considered the largest UN mission in the world with more than 15,000 peacekeepers – has failed to stabilise the DRC and end the threat of armed groups in the Great Lakes region. MONUSCO has lost credibility and trust with the local populations of eastern DRC in particular, who are no longer prepared to tolerate the mission as it watches helplessly as groups such as the FDLR and ADF massacre civilians and conquer territory. If the current tension between Rwanda and the DRC persists, community tensions targeting certain populations could turn into unprecedented community violence and the confrontations between the two countries could escalate dramatically in the region. The international community, particularly the European Union and UN, should take this situation as seriously as the war between Russia and Ukraine. The African Union should not only call for a cease-fire between the Congolese army and the M23 rebellion, but also encourage country leaders to have frank and constructive dialogue. It should also consider sanctions against any country found guilty of aggression, violating international law, territorial integrity and national sovereignty by conducting free and independent investigations. The regional military force should not assume the mission of observation or verification, but jointly with the FARDC and MONUSCO push back against all armed groups, both foreign and local, to definitively pacify the Great Lakes region. Donors should support local initiatives to combat hate speech and discourage communal violence based on identity and stereotypes in order to promote peaceful cohabitation between communities. The DRC needs to train, equip and effectively support its army so that it is respectful and capable of dealing with any internal or external threat. But it should also accelerate the operationalization of the disarmament, demobilization and community reintegration programme for former combatants who have left armed groups. The improvement of the living conditions of these ex-combatants and their adequate community reintegration would encourage other illegal arms holders and warlords to subscribe to the DDR-CR programme for peace in the DRC and the Great Lakes region. Marius Ruhanamirindi is Peace Insight’s Local Peacebuilding Expert in the Democratic Republic of Congo . Based out of Goma, Marius works as a Consultant at the Peacebuilding Support Office in the DRC . He has previously worked as a Project Consultant with Oxfam GB on their joint programme against gender-based violence from December 2019 to December 2020. He was also a Project Coordinator for the promotion of peace and social cohesion by young people within the national NGO Bénévolat pour l'Enfance in the DRC for more than 3 years.

11.11.2022 03:20 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: European Investment Bank First EIB Global quasi-equity investment backs expansion of fibre-optic network to 2.5 million people New investment to provide high-speed connectivity to 319 schools and 70 hospitals EIB and BCS supporting DRC National Plan on digital transformation More than 2.5 million people living in remote eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will benefit from transformed digital connectivity under new fibre-optic network investment being rolled out by BCS and backed by the European Investment Bank. The USD 10 million European Investment Bank support, the EIB Global first quasi-equity investment and second cooperation with BCS was formally announced earlier today at AfricaCom 2022 in Cape Town. “Africa is at a crucial point in the digitization age. The rapid growth of her Telecommunication infrastructure is one of the key factors that will allow the realization of her true potential. As BCS we are excited to be part of Africa’s journey to achieving regional connectivity. Our mission is to enable internet access to more than 300 million people in Africa through our infrastructure. Our continued partnership with the EIB will see our company continue to deploy its fiber optic expansion plans to build over 20,000 kilometers across Eastern, Central, and Southern Africa providing regional and rural connectivity by serving underserved areas. This will play a major role in transforming quality internet penetration, access, and affordability.” Yonas Maru, MD BCS Group. “The European Investment Bank is committed to accelerating digitalisation across Africa and pleased to strengthen our partnership with BCS to transform high-speed fibre optic networks in the DRC. Expansion of the fibre optic backbone will enable local communities to benefit from mobile broadband and hospitals and schools to be connected to the rest of the world.” said Thomas Östros, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank. Expanding high-capacity telecoms across the DRC The new EIB backed investment by BCS will connect areas currently underserved by high-speed telecoms. Better digitalisation will unlock new opportunities for local entrepreneurs and support job creation, and direct telecom connections to 319 schools and 70 hospitals and health centres will improve education and public health. The new investment will enable regions impacted by conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic to benefit from better mobile broadband coverage and reliable communications. BCS Group has entered into a long-term funding partnership with the EIB for a further US$10 million. This is part of the EIB’s continued partnership with BCS following a USD18 million funding in late 2018. This project shall contribute towards the construction of 1,200 KMs of fiber which is part of the 20,000 kms that BCS is planning to build in Southern, Central and Eastern Africa over the next 3 years. Over the last decade the European Investment Bank has provided more than EUR 1 billion for telecom investment across Africa. Background information is the EIB Group’s specialised arm dedicated to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance. EIB Global is designed to foster strong, focused partnership within , alongside fellow development finance institutions, and civil society. EIB Global brings the Group closer to local people, companies and institutions through our . About BCS Group: Bandwidth and Cloud Services is a carrier-neutral, Internet Bandwidth wholesale provider with a presence in East, Central, and Southern Africa regions, Bandwidth and Cloud services offer wholesale internet, Fiber transmission, and construction services to Mobile operators, ISPs, Content Providers, and Social Media Providers. Operating in Angola, The Democratic Republic of Congo, , Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Malawi. BCS further serves Ethiopia, Botswana, Burundi, Namibia, and South Sudan at their respective border points. Bandwidth and Cloud Services is a Pan-African telecom infrastructure specializing in Fiber optic connectivity and providing connectivity solutions, reaching an estimated 80m+ end users with a network coverage spanning over 12,500 Kms CONTACT Richard Willisr.willis@eib.org +352 4379 - 82155 Press Officepress@eib.org +352 4379 - 21000

11.11.2022 03:20 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: UN Children's Fund Please refer to the attached file. Highlights The security situation remained relatively calm in the Rutshuru territory through the reporting period, following the arrival of the M23 in Rutshuru center and Kiwanja on 29 October 2022. At least 188,000 persons have been displaced since the clashes resumed on 20 October 2022, many of whom live in highly precarious conditions. Despite the very volatile and unpredictable environment, UNICEF and partners continue to provide assistance to the most vulnerable in WASH, child protection, health, education, nutrition and non-food item distribution. Situation Overview The security situation has been relatively calm, but volatile and unpredictable during the reporting period. Occasional clashes between armed groups and M23 continue on certain axes and the FARDC are using newly deployed air assets. Almost all of Rutshuru and Rwanguba health zones are controlled by M23. A large part of the population in these health zones has been forcibly displaced in the Nyiragongo territory , Bambo health zone of Rutshuru and north towards the southern parts of the Lubero territory . Multiple evaluations have been launched by humanitarian actors, and the number of displaced is still evolving with continued movements. Slow and limited returns have also been noticed. At least 188,000 persons have been displaced since the clashes resumed on 20 October. The IDP site Rwasa II in Kiwanja that hosted around 24,000 persons has been completely dismantled and looted and the population invited to return to their villages by the M23 authorities. Access to M23 areas is currently in discussion with all the different parties. The inter-Congolese dialogue is expected to start in Nairobi on 21 November 2022. Many of the displaced live in extremely rudimentary and overcrowded conditions, as they have constructed makeshift shelters from leaves or plastic sheeting. Some are living in collective centres, such as schools, churches or just outside health care centres. In addition, the possibility of a major cholera epidemic remains highly likely with an increase in the number of suspected cases in Kanyaruchinya and significant rumours of cholera in Rutshuru. Further, a part of the population has remained in zones with high tensions and occasional confrontations limiting the access and an increased risk of an extremely deteriorating humanitarian situation in these areas.

10.11.2022 18:40 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Please refer to the attached file. Kinshasa, 10 novembre 2022 – Le Coordonnateur humanitaire en République démocratique du Congo , Bruno Lemarquis, s’est dit fortement préoccupé par les conséquences humanitaires liées à la reprise des affrontements le 20 octobre dernier entre l’Armée congolaise et le groupe armé Mouvement du 23 mars dans le Territoire de Rutshuru, dans la province du Nord-Kivu. Les acteurs humanitaires estiment qu’au moins 188 000 personnes ont été déplacées depuis la reprise des affrontements le 20 octobre dernier. Plus de 76 000 enfants ont vu leur scolarité interrompue. Près de 54 pour cent des personnes déplacées vivent au sein de familles d’accueil, tandis que des milliers d’autres occupent des écoles, des hôpitaux, des églises et autres sites improvisés. Ces nouveaux déplacements portent à au moins 237 000 le nombre de personnes déplacées depuis mars lorsque les premiers affrontements ont éclaté. Ceux-ci ont également fait des victimes civiles, alors que des infrastructures civiles, telles que des structures de santé, qui sont des lieux protégés, ont aussi fait l’objet d’attaques. « Les affrontements de ces dernières semaines rendent encore plus pénible le quotidien de dizaines de milliers de personnes qui, depuis huit mois, paient un lourd tribut. Il est important que ces violences s’arrêtent afin que les civils puissent entamer un retour et reprendre le cours de leurs vies. » a déclaré Lemarquis. C’est dans ce contexte sécuritaire tendu que les acteurs humanitaires conduisent leurs interventions d’urgence, en étroite collaboration avec les autorités provinciales. En lien avec les derniers mouvements de population, des denrées alimentaires ont été distribuées à plus de 65 500 personnes déplacées et familles d’accueil vulnérables, notamment dans le territoire de Nyiragongo. Les acteurs humanitaires fournissent des services d’hygiène et de l’eau potable. Environ 2 000 enfants bénéficient d’un programme psychosocial. Des sensibilisations sont organisées pour prévenir les risques de violences basées sur le genre, d’abus et d’exploitation sexuelles, tandis que la prise en charge des victimes se met en place. En termes d’hébergement provisoire, les acteurs humanitaires sont en train de travailler avec les autorités provinciales pour identifier des sites ou les personnes déplacées peuvent être hébergées temporairement. Face à l’ampleur des besoins, les partenaires s'efforcent d'intensifier la distribution de l'aide pour réduire les souffrances de la population déplacée. « Il est impératif de respecter les droits de l’homme, le droit international humanitaire notamment la protection des civils et des infrastructures civiles, ainsi que les principes d’humanité, d’impartialité, de neutralité et d’indépendance qui régissent l’action humanitaire. Il est également important de lutter contre les messages de haine et l’incitation à la violence car ces messages peuvent potentiellement mener à des attaques ciblées contre des civils en raison de leur identité et à exacerber la situation actuelle. Il est aussi primordial d’assurer la facilitation d’un accès humanitaire sûr et sans entrave pour que nous puissions atteindre les personnes dans le besoin où qu’elles soient », a dit Lemarquis, qui a ajouté que si l’aide humanitaire est primordiale pour sauver des vies et soulager les souffrances des populations affectées par les violences, elle n’est toutefois pas la seule solution aux problèmes humanitaires, qui viendra du rétablissement de la sécurité et de la paix. Cette situation dans le Nord Kivu se rajoute à une situation humanitaire déjà très complexe et dégradée dans plusieurs provinces du pays, en particulier dans l’Est. Dans la province voisine de l’Ituri, la persistance des violences, dont de nombreuses attaques sur des sites de personnes déplacées, a fragilisé de nombreux territoires, entraînant des mouvements massifs de population. A elles seules, les provinces de l’Ituri et du NordKivu abritent 64 pour cent des 5,7 millions de personnes déplacées internes dans le pays. Elles abritent également le plus grand nombre d’acteurs humanitaires qui chaque jour, œuvrent pour apporter de l’aide aux populations affectées par la violence.

10.11.2022 18:40 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: UN Children's Fund Please refer to the attached file. Highlights The security situation remained relatively calm in the Rutshuru territory through the reporting period, following the arrival of the M23 in Rutshuru center and Kiwanja on 29 October 2022. At least 188,000 persons have been displaced since the clashes resumed on 20 October 2022, many of whom live in highly precarious conditions. Despite the very volatile and unpredictable environment, UNICEF and partners continue to provide assistance to the most vulnerable in WASH, child protection, health, education, nutrition and non-food item distribution. Situation Overview The security situation has been relatively calm, but volatile and unpredictable during the reporting period. Occasional clashes between armed groups and M23 continue on certain axes and the FARDC are using newly deployed air assets. Almost all of Rutshuru and Rwanguba health zones are controlled by M23. A large part of the population in these health zones has been forcibly displaced in the Nyiragongo territory , Bambo health zone of Rutshuru and north towards the southern parts of the Lubero territory . Multiple evaluations have been launched by humanitarian actors, and the number of displaced is still evolving with continued movements. Slow and limited returns have also been noticed. At least 188,000 persons have been displaced since the clashes resumed on 20 October. The IDP site Rwasa II in Kiwanja that hosted around 24,000 persons has been completely dismantled and looted and the population invited to return to their villages by the M23 authorities. Access to M23 areas is currently in discussion with all the different parties. The inter-Congolese dialogue is expected to start in Nairobi on 21 November 2022. Many of the displaced live in extremely rudimentary and overcrowded conditions, as they have constructed makeshift shelters from leaves or plastic sheeting. Some are living in collective centres, such as schools, churches or just outside health care centres. In addition, the possibility of a major cholera epidemic remains highly likely with an increase in the number of suspected cases in Kanyaruchinya and significant rumours of cholera in Rutshuru. Further, a part of the population has remained in zones with high tensions and occasional confrontations limiting the access and an increased risk of an extremely deteriorating humanitarian situation in these areas.

10.11.2022 18:40 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Sources: Shelter Cluster, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Please refer to the attached Infographic.

10.11.2022 18:40 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Please refer to the attached Infographic.

10.11.2022 18:40 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Please refer to the attached Infographic.

10.11.2022 18:40 Countries: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Zambia, Zimbabwe Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees Please refer to the attached file. Overview As of the end of September 2022, Southern Africa hosts around 8.6 million persons of concern to UNHCR. This includes 1.1 million refugees and asylum-seekers and 6.9 million internally displaced persons , as well as others of concern, refugee returnees and IDP returnees. The Democratic Republic of Congo represents 77 per cent of the regional data. Refugees, Asylum-Seekers and Others of concern The region hosts 785,000 refugees, 278,000 asylum-seekers and 36,000 others of concern. Among those 1.1 million PoCs, 74 per cent of them are from the countries outside of the Southern Africa region.1 The top five countries of origin are Central African Republic , Rwanda , DRC , Burundi and Ethiopia . Internally Displaced Persons In Southern Africa, there are 6.9 million internally displaced persons . Most of them are conflict-induced, 6.4 million, but there are also natural disaster-induced IDPs, 0.5 million. The data on IDPs are reported in DRC, Congo, Mozambique and Zimbabwe . Durable Solutions In 2022, 15,402 persons have been repatriated voluntarily thus far, with 2,805 persons repatriated in September. The largest group of returns was from Zambia to the DRC, with 2,159 persons repatriated in September. Further, there has been notable movements from Angola to the DRC in September, where, 47 families of 143 persons were repatriated to destinations in the DRC such as Kassai Province, Kinshassa, Kwilu Province and Goma. From January to September 2022, 4,497 individuals of 1,063 cases were submitted for resettlement consideration. Among these cases, half were male and the other half were female with 57 per cent being children under age 18. In the same period, 2,067 individuals departed for resettlement. A half of the departed cases were male and another half were female, similarly to submitted cases. Most persons have been considered for resettlement to the United States . The highest number of those departed also headed to the United States . In terms of country of asylums, the highest number of submitted applications were from Malawi and Zambia . Congolese is the nationality with the highest number of submissions and departures .