ReliefWeb: Updates by Country

31.01.2024 23:50 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Please refer to the attached file.

31.01.2024 16:01 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: Médecins Sans Frontières The DRC has been hit by unprecedented flooding following torrential rain and high water on the Congo River, causing widespread human and material damage and flooding in several of the country's provinces. The Congolese authorities estimate that at least 600,000 people are affected in eight of the 26 provinces. Thousands of people have been forced to abandon their homes. In response to the situation, MSF has deployed its team to meet the needs of the affected population: access to healthcare, drinking water and latrines. Key Messages: Thousands of people have lost their possessions and are living in deplorable conditions. Without shelter, water or access to healthcare, they are exposed to water-borne diseases such as cholera. Since 9 January, MSF has deployed its team to the commune of Limeté, one of the sites where more than 400 affected households have crossed the flooded streets by dugout canoe to seek shelter. Latrines, shelters and lighting have been installed, and the team is also providing victims with access to drinking water. A mobile clinic has been set up to provide access to primary healthcare on site. Mental health care is also offered to help those traumatised by this situation. The number of consultations is increasing daily. MSF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, is identifying other sites to extend its assistance. The city of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been affected for several weeks by flooding caused by torrential rain and the rising Congo River. Seven communes have been badly hit, including Limete, where MSF teams are working. According to official figures, 12 people have died and 1,177 houses have been destroyed. "I was at home when I saw the water come into my house right up to the roof. First, I took my husband, who is visually impaired, to safety, then my children. The water was so heavy that we left our house without taking anything with us. We took refuge in a shed with hundreds of other families", explains Anastasie Lusamba, one of the flood victims. Others who were trapped during the night and were unable to escape have lost all their belongings and are now without any means of support. Marie Makese arrived with her family more than a fortnight ago at the Mbukalisu site in the commune of Limete, which has been made available by the Church. "The water came in all over my house. Today I've lost everything: my clothes, my kitchen utensils, my bed and my goods. My children no longer have any school supplies. While the others go to school, they stay in the yard to play", she says indignantly. MSF deploys teams in Limete commune for emergency response On the Mbukalisu site belonging to the Saint Ngoza parish, in the Limete commune, a reception site has been set up as a matter of urgency to accommodate these stricken families. "This land has often been used as a refuge for families when floods hit the Kingambwa district. Before MSF arrived, some families found themselves living with up to 20 people in a shelter with a capacity of five. Because of the lack of space in these cramped makeshift dwellings, some people had to spend the night under the stars, without electricity or access to latrines and drinking water, exposing themselves to disease," explains Dago Inagbe, MSF's Head of Mission in Kinshasa. Since the beginning of January, MSF has deployed a logistical and medical team to the site identified by the authorities to meet the needs of the affected population. For the 400 households affected , MSF has installed six latrines, six showers, 10 tents to shelter victims and lighting; drinking water is also being provided. From a medical point of view, a mobile clinic provides access to primary health care and offers mental health care to the victims, with a particular focus on people with disabilities, who are even more vulnerable in this type of disaster. The main pathologies recorded so far are malaria, urinary tract infections and typhoid fever linked to the poor conditions in which these people are living. "Our clinic receives a minimum of 35 patients a day. Since the start of the operation, 150 patients have been treated for malaria, 80 have been admitted for urinary infections and 65 for typhoid fever. Some patients describe anxiety and suicide because they have lost everything. We have already carried out 27 mental health consultations to help them. 350 mosquito nets have been distributed in collaboration with the health zone", explains Dago Inagbe, MSF's Head of Mission in Kinshasa. The number of arrivals continues to rise. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, MSF is working to identify two other sites in the commune of Limete to extend assistance, as many needs have not yet been met. "The provision of services is limited by the small size of the site. At the Kingabwa site, for example, apart from our commitment, there is still a need for shelters, latrines and showers to meet standards. And access to food remains one of the biggest challenges. We need to mobilise all the players involved to come to the aid of those affected", pleads Dago Inagbé. The rains caused rivers and the Congo River to overflow their banks, not only in Kinshasa but also in several other provinces of the country. The national authorities estimate that at least 600,000 people are affected in eight provinces: Sud Kivu, Kasaï Central, Kasaï, Tshuapa, Mongala, Tshopo, Haut Uele and Kinshasa. MSF has also deployed a team to Kananga in the province of Kasaï Central to carry out a needs assessment with a view to providing a humanitarian response.

31.01.2024 16:01 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: Médecins Sans Frontières Please refer to the attached Map.

31.01.2024 16:01 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: Action on Armed Violence On Thursday, January 25th, the town of in the Democratic Republic of Congo's North Kivu province was at the centre of violent clashes between the Congolese army and M23 rebels. At least 19 civilians were killed, and up to 27 injured, depending on whose you read. By the evening, most of the town's population was in the Mweso General Hospital. M23, one of around groups active in eastern Congo, has been fighting for over a decade and claims to defend Tutsi against ethnic Hutu militias. It takes its name from a March 23, 2009, peace deal it accuses the government of failing to implement. claim Rwandan military members are arming the rebels, and warned attacks by M23 fighters were becoming more frequent as the group increases the territory under its control. The Congolese government claims the rebels attacked Mweso with mortar shells, while M23 claims to have been protecting the town against Congolese drones and artillery. Since 2010, Action on Armed Violence has recorded 46 incidents of explosive weapons use in the DRC, 37 of which have caused 464 civilian casualties, including 159 civilian fatalities. 57% of incidents have been attributed to non-state actors, as have 51% of civilian casualties, and 52% of civilian fatalities. While 10 of the 26 attacks, and 119 of the 236 civilian casualties attributed to non-state actors were perpetrated by unknown actors, M23 rebels are the reported perpetrators of 10 incidents, resulting in 49 civilian casualties. They are second to Islamic State, which caused 61 civilian casualties across two attacks. 4 incidents are attributed to state actors, in particular two to the DRC , one to Rwanda , and one to Uganda . Ground-launched weapons have caused the majority, 59% , of civilian casualties, specifically shelling , grenades , mortars , artillery shelling , and rockets . The use of IEDs resulted in 35% of civilian casualties, while air-launched weapons, specifically an air-dropped bomb, caused 6% of civilian casualties. IEDs have been the most injurious explosive weapon in the DRC since AOAV started recording in 2010, killing and injuring on average 13.5 civilians per attack. AOAV’s casualty figures represent the lowest of estimations in terms of the number of people killed and injured by explosive weapon use. In an effort to quantify the explicit harm caused by specific explosive weapons, AOAV solely records incident-specific casualty figures, as reported in English-language media. AOAV condemns the use of violence against civilians and the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. All actors should stop using explosive weapons with wide-area effects where there is likely to be a high concentration of civilians.

30.01.2024 23:00 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: UN Children's Fund Please refer to the attached file. Highlights Escalating armed conflict and inter-communal clashes in the eastern provinces have led to extensive displacement and heightened humanitarian needs. In North Kivu, the crisis has surpassed the previous peak in January 2023, with the current count at 1.1 million internally displaced people, significantly up from 591,000 in August 2023. Massive population movements in North Kivu have led to a 51% increase in cholera cases within a month, resulting in the worst outbreak in six years. 65% of the cases in the eastern provinces are children. Since June 2023, UNICEF has reached nearly 1.5 million people across the crisis-affected areas representing 53 per cent per cent of the ambitious scale-up target. UNICEF received less than 4 per cent of the funding required since the declaration of the L3 scale up in June 2023. Funding remains a challenge to attaining the life-saving and acute protection assistance scale-up targets. Situation Overview and Humanitarian Needs The situation continues to deteriorate dramatically in Ituri and North Kivu with armed conflict and inter-communal clashes generating massive displacement and increased humanitarian needs. South Kivu is also increasingly affected as the fighting extends south causing population movement towards Kirotshe. During the reporting period, heavy fighting between the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its allies and non-state armed groups continued in many areas of North Kivu, notably in Masisi and Rutshuru. The M23 armed group extended its area of influence as East Africa Community troops started to withdraw. In November 2023, the M23 took control of the city of Mweso. Combat led to new population displacements, mainly in Masisi, from which a significant number of people arrived in Sake. Combat in Rutshuru also led to new displacement towards Kanyabayonga in Lubero. The escalation of the conflict, including violence towards civilians, has resulted in significant population movements, a deteriorating humanitarian situation, a worsening protection situation for children and women, and increased access constraints. The number of new internally displaced people caused by the M23 crisis is higher than in January 2023 – which was the previous peak. There are now 1.1 million IDPs up from 591,000 in August 2023. As of 20 November 2023, there were 569,909 new IDPs in Goma, Masisi, Rutshuru, Lubero, Walikale and Nyiragongo territories, 1 a 30 per cent increase from 9 November. Massive new waves of IDPs arrived in Sake and in sites in western Goma, reflecting a situation similar to that in February 2023. Due to the deteriorating situation in the Hauts Plateaux in Minova in South Kivu, UNICEF extended its child protection interventions to the localities of Numbi, Kalungu and Bulenga. Massive population movements have contributed to the spread of cholera. The growing number of IDPs in already overcrowded sites, limited access to certain areas, and a lack of capacity to meet needs has resulted in a 51 per cent increase in cholera cases in North Kivu over the past month . The most impacted areas are the IDP sites in Nyiragingo, Kitchanga/Mweso, Kibirizi and Goma. The situation has given rise to the worst cholera outbreak in six years with 42,672 suspected cases and 357 deaths. 2 North Kivu is the hardest hit, representing over 65 per cent of all cases countrywide – 65 per cent of these cases concern children under 18 year of age and over 25 per cent concern children under 5 years of age. DRC is currently reporting the highest number of suspected cholera cases and deaths in West and Central Africa, accounting for nearly 80 per cent of cholera transmissions and close to 60 per cent of deaths.3 Combat has directly impacted the humanitarian response in some places. The Kilolirwe health centre was once again looted, and rapid response health supplies were plundered; it remains non-functional. In Beni in North Kivu and in Ituri attacks on civilians by NSAGs have also continued, provoking new displacements. NSAGs have made incursions into the villages of Mabuo and Wimbandere near Biakato in Mambasa. Killing and kidnapping of civilians and looting of property has been reported. The unpredictability of NSAG attacks in this area, and the impossibility of negotiating access, makes any intervention difficult. In the rest of Ituri, Djugu and Mahagi remain insecure as the result of local militia activity, leading to population movements and increased needs. Humanitarian access continues to be hampered not only by fighting but also by the rainy season. In Ituri, accessing communities and delivering humanitarian goods has become a real challenge as trucks often get stuck for days. The intensification of military operations in North Kivu continued to increase child protection risks and reduced the possibilities for children recruited by armed groups to escape. This is to due difficulties in accessing conflict areas and the establishment of multiple checkpoints between Rutshuru and Masisi. In the Petit Nord, lack of access to combat areas remains a concern both in terms of being able to provide protection services to children and of being able document and verify grave violations against them. In Ituri, the continued activity of armed groups, particularly the Allied Democratic Forces in the southern territories continues to impact children, with an increased number of verified cases of children being recruited and used by armed groups between October and December . Similarly, in the areas affected by ADF activity in North Kivu, despite the intensification of the conflict and violent attacks, no children released from ADF were referred to UNICEF and its partners for support and protection services, which is of particular concern. In South Kivu, in the Hauts Plateaux area of Kalehe, the recruitment and the use of children by armed groups remains a grave concern.

30.01.2024 23:00 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Sources: Shelter Cluster, UN Children's Fund Please refer to the attached Infographic.

30.01.2024 23:00 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: European Commission's Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Heavy clashes hit several localities on the outskirts of Kitshanga in the Masisi region , between the Congolese army, local armed groups and the M23 rebellion. On 25 January, mortar bomb attacks in a residential area of the town of Mweso killed 19 people and wounded more than 20. Around 8,000 people sought refuge near Mweso hospital and the local Catholic parish. The situation remains very tense as renewed clashes are expected. On 23 January, in the locality of Mavivi-Ngite, 15 km north of the town of Beni , during a new attack by Allied Democratic Forces combatants, five people were killed by machete and bullets. The resumption of hostilities has provoked new waves of displacements and exacerbates an already disastrous humanitarian situation. A record 6.9 million people are currently displaced within the DRC, including 2.5 million in the province of North Kivu, with no or very limited access to basic services. Full compliance with International Humanitarian Law remains crucial for the protection of civilians.

30.01.2024 14:10 Countries: Burkina Faso, 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.

29.01.2024 21:31 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Sources: COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale, Nutrition Cluster, UN Children's Fund Please refer to the attached file. INTRODUCTION DISCUSSION C’est à 14 h 15 minutes que la première réunion du cluster de l’année 2024 a débutée par le mot de bienvenue à tous les participants en ligne et présentiel ténu par le Coordonnateur Régional du cluster nutrition Dr Danny Kalala. Une minute de silence en mémoire de notre collègue Jules Mukengela décédé il y a une semaine a été observé étant donné qu’il a beaucoup contribué pour la communauté humanitaire, section Nutrition du Grand Kasaï ; Reprenant la parole après observance de la minute de silence, le Coordonnateur a présenté les Vœux les meilleurs aux participants puis a demandé que chacun se présente en commençant par ceux qui sont en ligne, suivis des ceux qui sont dans la salle à Tshikapa, Mbuji-Mayi et pour terminer par la salle de Kananga ; Il a ensuite donné deux consignes pour ceux qui sont en ligne, dont la première est de se nommer de la manière suivante : NOM de la structure + Nom du participant pour que ces derniers soient capitalisés sur la liste de présence et deuxièmement, en cas de préoccupation soulever la main électroniquement ; Le rapporteur a été désigné pour élaborer le compte rendu de la réunion, il s’agit de COOPI/KANANGA et enfin, le Coordonnateur régional a présenté les points inscrits à l’ordre du jour dont voici la teneur ci-haut.

29.01.2024 21:31 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Please refer to the attached file. Kinshasa, 29 January 2024 - The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for the Democratic Republic of Congo , Bruno Lemarquis, expressed deep concern over the recent surge in violence in North Kivu province. "The humanitarian community is profoundly concerned by serious violations of international humanitarian law committed recently, with clashes claiming the lives of many civilians, including women and children, particularly in Mweso where a bombardment in a residential neighborhood on 25 January killed 19 people and injured over 20," said Mr. Lemarquis. Parties to the conflict are reminded of their duty to protect civilians, who should never be targeted by the hostilities, and their right to safely access humanitarian assistance. The humanitarian consequences of this recent escalation are alarming. Around 8,000 internally displaced persons have now sought refuge near Mweso Hospital, and their lives might be at risk if fighting intensifies near this critical lifeline facility. The Mweso health zone currently hosts over 251,000 people in urgent need of assistance. Mr. Lemarquis stressed, "It is crucial to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers and civilians to allow assistance to reach those in need and prevent deterioration of the humanitarian situation." This resurgence of violence underscores the suffering endured for years by civilian populations affected by the conflict in North Kivu, where over 2.5 million people have been displaced, and currently have limited access to essential services. Despite growing access constraints, humanitarian partners remain committed to providing the necessary aid and support to affected communities. "Support for ongoing political processes is essential to achieve lasting peace and stability in eastern DRC, where populations have endured decades of hardship and rightly aspire to live safely," reminded Bruno Lemarquis. ** For more information, please contact: Carla Martinez, Head of Office, OCHA-DRC, +243817061223, martinez14@un.org Jean Jonas Tossa, Public Information Officer, +243817 061 220, tossa4@un.org Information products on the humanitarian situation in the DRC are available at or

29.01.2024 12:40 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Sources: Shelter Cluster, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Please refer to the attached Infographic.

29.01.2024 12:40 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Sources: Protection Cluster, UN Children's Fund Please refer to the attached Infographic.

29.01.2024 12:40 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Please refer to the attached file. Kinshasa, 29 janvier 2024 - Le Coordonnateur humanitaire en République démocratique du Congo, Monsieur Bruno Lemarquis, exprime sa vive préoccupation face à la nouvelle escalade de violence dans la province du Nord-Kivu. " La communauté humanitaire est profondément troublée par les graves atteintes au droit international humanitaire commises ces derniers temps, avec des combats ayant coûté la vie à de nombreux civils, dont des femmes et des enfants, notamment à Mweso, où un bombardement dans un quartier résidentiel le 25 janvier a causé la mort de 19 personnes et blessé plus de 20 personnes " a déclaré M. Lemarquis. Les parties au conflit sont rappelées à leur devoir de protection des populations civiles. Celles-ci ne sauraient être la cible des combats et ont le droit de recevoir les secours appropriés. Les conséquences humanitaires de l’intensification récente des violences sont alarmantes. Environ 8 000 personnes déplacées internes ont désormais cherché refuge près de l'hôpital de Mweso. Ce qui fait planer le risque d’un nouveau drame si les combats s'intensifient à proximité de cette installation vitale qui doit être protégée, selon le droit international humanitaire. La zone de santé de Mweso compte plus de 251 000 personnes, actuellement dans un besoin urgent d’assistance humanitaire. " Il est crucial de garantir la sécurité des travailleurs humanitaires et des civils afin de permettre que l’assistance leur parvienne et empêcher une aggravation de la situation humanitaire", a insisté M. Lemarquis. Cette récente escalade de violence rappelle tragiquement les souffrances endurées depuis des années par les populations civiles affectées par le conflit dans le Nord-Kivu. Plus de 2,5 millions de personnes ont été déplacées et ont un accès limité aux services de base. Les partenaires humanitaires restent déterminés à apporter l’assistance et le soutien nécessaires aux personnes affectées, malgré les contraintes d’accès croissantes. « Le soutien aux processus politiques en cours est indispensable pour que la paix et la stabilité puisse revenir dans l’Est de la République Démocratique du Congo. Les populations éprouvées par des décennies de souffrances aspirent légitimement à vivre en sécurité » a rappelé Bruno Lemarquis. ******* Pour plus d’informations, veuillez contacter Carla Martinez, Cheffe de Bureau, OCHA-RDC, +243817061223, martinez14@un.org Jean Jonas Tossa, Chargé de l’Information Publique, +243817 061 220, tossa4@un.org Les produits d’informations sur la situation humanitaire en RDC sont disponibles sur

27.01.2024 00:32 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: Fédération internationale pour les droits humains Following the disengagement agreement between the authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC , signed in November 2023, the International Federation for Human Rights and its member organisations in the DRC, Groupe Lotus, Asadho, and the League of Voters, call on the UN Security Council and the Congolese authorities to do their utmost to protect civilians and human rights in the country. Kinshasa, Kisangani, and Paris, December 13, 2023. As it does every year since the beginning of the peacekeeping mission in the RDC, the United Nations Security Council will meet on December 20th to decide on the outcome of the mission by voting on a resolution for its mandate. This year, the highly anticipated resolution will take into account the provisions of the disengagement plan signed by the Congolese government and the UN Secretary General in Kinshasa in November 2023. The agreement seems to reflect both the UN’s internal position for the need to overhaul the system of peacekeeping missions and funding within the organisation , as well as the demands of some of the Congolese people, who have called for MONUSCO’s withdrawal for several years, owing to its ineffectiveness. There have been several perpetrated against MONUSCO, especially in the east. People there have spent living in a context of armed conflict and have questioned the effectiveness of MONSUCO’s ability to properly protect the civilian population. The agreement was signed in the run-up to the general election, which is to be held on December 20th of this year. While it is true that it reflects the long-held and firmly established positions both within and outside of the mission, our organisations hope that the upcoming elections will not have a negative impact on the safeguarding of human rights that stem from the application of this pact. Despite different contexts, this decision is in line with a general trend among UN peacekeeping missions in Africa, such as in Mali and in Sudan, where authorities made clear the fact that they wanted the mission to withdraw as quickly as possible. A gradual withdrawal plan has been underway since 2019 when President Tshisekedi took office. This plan is based on a series of measurable indicators, notably an improvement in the security situation. The gradual plan follows recommendations made by FIDH member organisations, that asked that “this withdrawal should not be precipitated, and therefore should be guided by objective indicators on the general situation in the RDC so as not to imperil the transition that is already underway in the country”. Since then, the plan has led to the closure of mission offices in the provinces of Kasaïs and Tanganyika. What sets this withdrawal plan apart from the previous one is the faster pace that is no longer determined by objective indicators that hinge on the advancement of the situation and progress made, including the withdrawal of armed troops at the same time as the closure of local mission offices. One of the risks of a rapid withdrawal is the proper transfer of priority tasks heretofore carried out by MONSUCO, such as the protection of civilians and human rights. The Congolese government is primarily responsible for protecting its citizens, but given the size of the country and the never-ending security issues, MONSUCO played an important, - albeit imperfect, - part in fulfilling this role. The withdrawal of Blue Helmets in some isolated areas where the government is barely present and where armed guerrillas are still active is of concern. MONSUCO and the Congolese government should be able to learn from the withdrawals from Kasaïs and Tanganyika. Likewise, it is essential to properly plan the handover of “transferable” tasks to the government, UN, and civil society. Finally, the Office of Human Rights should continue to be present in the RDC so as to continue monitoring, reporting, and applying the UN policy of human Rights due diligence in the areas of security and defence because these tasks are essential and difficult to hand over. Based on the progress made in the realm of transitional justice, work with expert groups should continue, especially forensic investigations. Defending human rights defenders and journalists should also be a central part of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Office’s mandate. It is also important to coordinate the deployment of SADC troops with MONSUCO troops as well as with the armies of neighbouring countries. This transition should have a clearly identifiable command as well as professional and responsible troops, especially after the recently reported committed by SADC troops in . The withdrawal of EAC armed troops is also underway. These troops have been in eastern RDC for a year, but the Congolese government deems their mandate to be insufficient. It has been calling for an offensive mandate to fight the M23 rebel military group. Indeed, the government and SADC recently decided that SADC troops should take over for the EAC. They are already present in the context of MONSUCO’s Force Intervention Brigade , which has an offensive mandate to fight armed troops. The FIB and new SADC command should coordinate. In aligning with SADC, the DRC frees itself from any ties with Rwanda, which is accused of supporting M23 in eastern DRC and diplomatically stymying decisions about its mandate. SADC forces will be deployed alongside DRC armed forces, other armed contingents present under bilateral agreements, Ugandan troops in Ituri and North-Kivu, as well as Burundian troops in South-Kivu, who are fighting armed groups in those provinces. This is why the FIDH, Lotus Groupe, ASADHO and the League of Voters call upon the Security Council, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, SADC troops, the African Union, and the Congolese government to: Maintain personnel and earmark sufficient resources for the Human Rights office to operate nationwide, even after the departure of MONSUCO; Strengthen government presence in provinces while enforcing laws in defence of human rights; Responsibly plan for the handover of MONSUCO tasks to agencies, civil society, and competent stakeholders; Consult regularly with members of civil society in DRC about MONSUCO’s withdrawal and handing over roles; Respect human rights when executing operations, especially in the African Union’s human rights compliance framework.

27.01.2024 00:32 Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Please refer to the attached file. FAITS SAILLANTS Près de 300 personnes sont décédées à la suite des inondations Plus de 98 000 maisons sont détruites, 431 472 ménages affectés dans 15 provinces Les premiers secours fournis par les acteurs humanitaires, les évaluations se poursuivent Le Gouvernement a élaboré un plan de réponse et sollicite l’appui des partenaires humanitaires Mise en place d’une coordination de la réponse d’urgence APERÇU DE LA SITUATION Les fortes pluies qui ont débuté en minovembre 2023 se sont intensifié jusqu’au mois de janvier 2024, provoquant des inondations majeures dans au moins 18 des 26 provinces de la République démocratique du Congo. Cette année, la montée des eaux du le fleuve Congo a atteint son niveau le plus élevé depuis plus de 60 ans, selon la . A ce jour, plus de 430 000 ménages, soit 2,1 millions de personnes, sont touchés selon les estimations officielles. L’étendue de la catastrophe reste difficile à évaluer avec précision. Toutefois, les évaluations menées jusqu’à présent par des partenaires humanitaires dans certaines provinces, notamment le Tanganyika, le Kasaï et la capitale Kinshasa révèlent plus ou moins l'ampleur de la crise : Plus de 11 000 ménages affectés dans la capitale Kinshasa. Plus de 50 pour cent du système d’approvisionnement en eau potable détruit dans la province du Kasaï. 31 écoles détruites et plus de 4 300 hectares de champs agricoles dévastés dans la province du Tanganyika. Partout, les besoins sont immenses. Des milliers de familles ont tout perdu. Les risques épidémiologiques sont accrus par la promiscuité dans les zones affectées. La nourriture, les abris, l'accès à l'eau et aux soins de santé sont des priorités absolues. Des évaluations se poursuivent dans les autres provinces et permettront de donner la situation réelle, consolider les données et guider une réponse efficace. Sur l’ensemble du pays, les autorités congolaises estiment que les pluies diluviennes ont endommagé au moins 98 299 maisons et fait près de 300 morts. Le gouvernement a élaboré un plan de réponse sur trois mois. Des discussions sont en cours avec les partenaires humanitaires pour finaliser ce plan. Les appuis des partenaires humanitaires s’articulent autour de l’identification des zones prioritaires, des besoins les plus urgents, des capacités diponibles et la réponse sectorielle. Le 17 janvier, l’équipe humanitaire pays a visité plusieurs zones sinistrées dans la capitale Kinshasa pour prendre la mesure des besoins urgents des populations. Si le pic des inondations semble passé, notamment à Kinshasa, un effort concerté et une mobilisation soutenue de fonds sont requis pour venir en aide aux populations sinistrées et reconstruire les infrastructures endommagées, tout en prévenant des nouvelles catastrophes. Le Gouvernement a décrété une allocation d’urgence de 1,5 million de dollars américains pour l’assistance en vivres et biens non alimentaires aux familles sinistrées. La république de Chine a pour sa part fait un don de 2 000 tonnes de riz et une enveloppe de 100 000 dollars en appui aux familles affectées. REPONSE HUMANITAIRE GAPS Santé La Croix Rouge congolaise, en collaboration avec les différentes Divisions Provinciales de la Santé , assure la prise en charge médicale des blessés et personnes affectées dans certaines provinces affectées par les inondations. Médecins Sans Frontières a mis en place des équipes de secours d’urgence dans certaines zones inondées de Kinshasa pour administrer des soins de santé de proximité ciblant plus de 2 500 personnes sinitrées. La Banque Mondiale apporte un financement de 400 000 dollars en appui a l’OMS pour la réponse en santé dans le cadre des inondations. Le Centre des opérations d’urgence en santé publique de l’OMS appuie le Ministère de la santé dans la consolodation de la réponse en santé. Environ 270 centres de santé endommagés par les inondations ont besoin d’être réhabilités dans tout le pays. . Eau, hygiène et assainissement / Articles ménagers essentiels Dans la province du Kasaï, plus de 50% du réseau de distribution d’eau potable a été détruit par les coulées de boues. La REGIDESO, le seul fournisseur d'eau potable, a interrompu la distribution de l’eau en raison de l’inondation de la principale station de pompage et la rupture des canalisations. Une bonne partie de populations consomme l’eau des rivières non-traitée, augmentant ainsi les risques d’épidémie de cholera et autres maladies hydriques. Sécurité alimentaire Les besoins en sécurité alimentaire restent encore à évaluer mais les évaluations rapides multisectorielles effectuées dans le Sud Kivu font état d’au moins 591 champs de manioc et de céréales inondés et plusieurs dizaines d’étangs piscicoles détruits. Dans le Tanganyika, les inondations de janvier ont aggravé les vulnérabilités causées par celles de mai-juin 2023 qui avaient détruit près de 4 320 hectares de champs de céréales et de tubercules. En plus des efforts de réponse en cours par la FAO, ACTED, l’ONG CONCERN annonce une capacité de cash pouvant couvrir les besoins de 1 500 personnes nouvellement affectées dans les territoires de Manono, Kalemie et Nyunzu. Education Au moins 1 325 écoles ont été touchées par les inondations dans l’ensemble des 15 provinces affectées. Dans la province de l’Ituri, au moins 76 écoles ont été détruites ou inondées. Dans la province de la Tshopo, plus 11 000 enfants n’ont pas accès à leurs écoles dans le seul territoire de Isangi dont 27 des 40 écoles touchées sont non fonctionnelles à cause des inondations, selon de récentes évaluations rapides multisectorielles réalisées par les acteurs humanitaires. Certaines écoles ont rouvert avec la baisse du niveau d’eau mais la grande majorité reste non fonctionnelle à cause de l’ampleur des dégâts. Coordination En coordination avec le Ministère des Affaires Sociales, Actions Humanitaires et Solidarité Nationale, OCHA et l’Intercluster national appuient la mise en place d’une base de données pour garantir la cohérence des informations sur la population impactée et apportent un soutien technique par cluster au plan de réponse du gouvernement. Le gouvernement congolais a initié un plan de réponse sur trois mois, soutenu par une allocation d'urgence de 1,5 million de dollars US. Néanmoins, l'ampleur du désastre, soulignée par la montée historique du fleuve Congo, exige une réponse humanitaire plus robuste et coordonnée. OCHA mobilise les partenaires et les autorités nationales pour la conduite des évaluations et la consolidation du plan de réponse aux inondations. Des actions de plaidoyer sont également en cours pour la mobilisation de fonds en appui au plan de réponse, notamment une intervention stratégique du Fonds Central d'Intervention d'Urgence . Face à l'ampleur des dégâts et au délai de réponse restreint, l'Équipe Humanitaire Pays envisage se concentrer sur des interventions prioritaires dans les provinces les plus touchées, telles que l'assistance en espèces, la sécurité alimentaire, la restauration des infrastructures d’eau, hygiène et assainissement ainsi que les services de santé, en ciblant spécifiquement les besoins vitaux et la protection des plus vulnérables. Nord-Ubangi, Sud-Ubangi, Tanganyika, Bas-Uele, Haut-Uele, Equateur, Sud-Kivu, Nord-Kivu, Kinshasa, Tshopo, Maniema, Kasaï Central, Mongala, Kwilu et Tshuapa. Kongo Central, Lomami