South Kivu

their livelihoods in areas of origin and only have limited access to land and livelihoods in displacement sites (UNHCR 10/05/2019)”.

11.1.3. Access to healthcare

Basing its analysis on country information compiled by a range of sources the Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS) reported in May 2019 that “Poor WASH conditions, malnutrition, and recurrent displacement contribute to the challenging health situation in Nord Kivu and Ituri provinces (CAID 31/03/2017; OCHA POU 2019; UNHCR 07/02/2019). A weak national health system, lack of qualified staff and supplies as well as the current Ebola outbreak in Nord Kivu and Ituri provinces are likely having a negative impact on access to healthcare in the affected areas (DRC RRP 2019- 2020). Malaria is prevalent in the area (Actualite 30/04/2019). Access to healthcare is likely particularly challenging for displaced communities (DTM 13/02/2019; MSF 08/02/2019). Limited hygiene and access to safe latrines increases the risk of diseases. Outbreaks of waterborne diseases and cases of anaemia among IDPs had been reported among in April and are likely to also affect the latest wave of displacement in the affected area (Actualite 30/04/2019)”.

11.1.4. Access to education

With regards to Goma, the capital city of North Kivu, Congo Forum reported in May 2018 on the situation for street children [unofficial translation]:

*…+ In the town of Goma, a cosmopolitan town, there are many children who end up on the streets due to the poor living conditions of their unemployed parents. CongoForum found that on the city streets, insecurity is rife: there are thefts, harassment, rape. Many street children 'maibobo' are at the cause of this since 2000. A lot of parents have taken refuge in Goma because of the repeated wars and armed conflicts in several territories of the province of North Kivu. In the city, one finds a multiplicity of tribes. Some parents give up their children, who start living on the street. They have no education, and there is not a center to supervise them.⁷¹⁰

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported in its ‘Displacement Matrix’ for Kasai, Kasai Central, Kasai Oriental, Lomami, Sankuru, South Kivu and Tanganyika evaluating the situation between February and November 2018 [unofficial ranslation]: "For 22% of IDPs and returnees [in those seven provinces], access to safe drinking water was reported as a problem priority need in villages, followed by education (18%) and access to food”.

UNHCR found that “In the space of just three days, between 10 - 13 March [2018], 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”.

USAID reported that since mid-September 2018 “intensified clashes and reprisal attacks between government forces and armed groups in South Kivu Province’s Fizi Territory have displaced approximately 40,000 people from Kilembwe and Kimbi-Lulenge health zones into rural areas”.

The same report further noted that “The violence also prompted relief agencies to suspend humanitarian operations in Kilembwe in mid-September, impeding access to life-saving interventions for an estimated 85,000 vulnerable people, according to the UN”.

USAID reported that “after the deteriorating security situation in South Kivu’s Fizi Territory prompted approximately 13,000 people to flee, the majority of IDPs—85 percent—had returned to areas of origin in Fizi as of late December *2018+”.

Basing its analysis on country information compiled by a range of sources the Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS) reported in May 2019 that “Since 4 May [2019] intercommunal clashes between armed groups affiliated to Banyamulenge and Bafuliri ethnicities have triggered large-scale displacement across three bordering territories (Fizi, Uvira and Mwenga) in Sud Kivu province. Some 125,000 people from 100 villages fled to safer neighbouring villages and to the surrounding forests. Armed groups looted and burnt villages, causing severe damages to shelter and critical infrastructure including health and sanitation facilities. Displaced people are in need of food, shelter and NFIs, WASH and health assistance”.

11.2.1. Access to housing

UNOCHA’s April 2019 report described the housing situation of IDPs as follows [unofficial translation]:

In analysing the different types of IDP housing, the evaluation found that 47% lived in free housing, 29% in rented houses, 10% in collective centres, 9% in spontaneous sites and only

713 International Organization for Migration (IOM), Matrice de suivi des déplacements République Démocratique du Congo Principaux résultats Février - Novembre 2018, May 2019, p. 11 [Unofficial translation provided by a COI researcher]

714 UNHCR, Congolese flee horrific violence for Uganda, 16 March 2018

715 USAID, Democratic Republic of the Congo – Complex Emergency, 30 September 2018, Insecurity and population displacement, p. 2

716 USAID, Democratic Republic of the Congo – Complex Emergency, 30 September 2018, Insecurity and population displacement, p. 2

717 USAID, Democratic Republic of the Congo – Complex Emergency, 15 February 2019, Insecurity and population displacement, p. 2

718 Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS), DRC Displacement in Sud Kivu, 29 May 2019, p. 1

4% in their own houses. In addition, IDPs were often evicted due to non-payment of rent (66%) and disagreement with host families [...]

The types of materials used are dominated by items that do not offer enough resistance to the elements. For example, for IDPs, 40% of the structures are built with adobe bricks, 25%

with natural clays, 22% with wooden structures, and 13% with bamboo while for roofs 56%

are made of straw, 33% of sheet metal and 11% of tarpaulins. The situation is almost the same for returnees.⁷¹⁹

ACAPS reported in May 2019 that “The total extent of destroyed or damaged houses is unclear; however, a high need for emergency shelter is anticipated. While needs are likely particularly high among those who fled into the forests, where the most urgent needs cannot be absorbed by the host community, displaced people within host communities are reported to sleep outdoors, exposed to the elements (VOA Afrique 17/05/2019)”.

11.2.2. Access to livelihood

ACAPS reported in May 2019 that “Food and household items are among the priority needs of displaced people. Three out of four displaced families in Minembwe Centre, Fizi territory, are estimated to not have sufficient food (La Prunelle RDC 21/05/2019). Looting and destruction of villages leads to the loss of food stocks and hampers access to crops and livestock (Actualite 21/05/2019). This is particularly concerning as agriculture is one of the main sources for livelihoods in the affected area. Given the sudden-onset nature of displacement, affected people likely had to leave personal assets and belongings behind, aggravating already high levels of food insecurity prevalent in the areas of displacement, particularly in Fizi and Uvira provinces (Actualite 21/05/2019; OCHA, assessed 27/05/2019;

OCHA 16/05/2019). Increased demand and access constraints due to insecurity are impacting food availability. The influx of IDPs into host communities is also likely to negatively impact the resilience of host families and adds pressure on local markets”.

11.2.3. Access to healthcare

ACAPS reported in May 2019 that “Access to health services is limited as several medical facilities were looted, set on fire and medical staff displaced (La Prunelle RDC 21/05/2019;

OCHA 16/05/2019). The influx of large numbers of displaced people puts pressure on health facilities in areas of displacement where a lack of medical supplies has already been reported (Actualite 21/05/2019). Low density of health infrastructure and limited funding will likely mean that there are no sufficient resources in case of disease outbreaks among displaced people living in overcrowded spaces. Physical access constraints are taking a toll on those health facilities still operating, as the provision of supplies is interrupted (KI unpublished, 27/05/2019). Although there is limited information available, a lack of psychosocial support for victims and witnesses of incidents of physical violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, can be anticipated”.

719 UNOCHA, Plan Opérationnel d’urgence 2019: Sud Kivu et Maniema (RD Congo), Jan- Jun 2019, 10 April 2019, p.8 [Unofficial translation provided by a COI researcher]

720 Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS), DRC Displacement in Sud Kivu, 29 May 2019, p. 2

721 Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS), DRC Displacement in Sud Kivu, 29 May 2019, p. 2

722 Assessment Capacities Project (ACAPS), DRC Displacement in Sud Kivu, 29 May 2019, p. 2

11.2.4. Access to education

ACAPS reported in May 2019 that “Fighting in the affected area led to the closure of schools.

It is currently unclear when schools will re-open as teachers are likely to be among those

displaced (OCHA 16/05/2019). Considering the large number of displaced people, host

communities’ education facilities are likely unable to absorb the influx. Furthermore, the

lack of livelihoods and limited resources as well as food insecurity prevalent in the area are

likely to have an impact on education, as limited funds tend to be allocated to the

acquisition of food items (NRC 16/10/2018; Food for the Hungry, 30/11/2017)”.