DRC violence drives more than 3,300 Congolese into Zambia in a month (03.10.2017)

They are mainly from the DRC provinces of Haut-Katanga and Tanganyika.

GENEVA, Switzerland, October 3, 2017 – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is concerned about growing violence in parts of south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has driven more than 3,360 refugees into northern Zambia since 30 August. This is the largest influx of Congolese refugees into Zambia in the past five years. UNHCR is worried that the insecurity in the DRC may lead to further displacement.

The refugees and asylum-seekers are escaping inter-ethnic clashes, as well as fighting between Congolese security forces and militia groups. Those arriving in Zambia report extreme brutality, with civilians being killed, women raped, property looted and houses set alight. They are mainly from the DRC provinces of Haut-Katanga and Tanganyika.

Many were already displaced internally before they crossed the border. The lack of roads and the long distances at the areas from where they are fleeing make it difficult to monitor the situation and provide them with assistance. With the rainy season approaching, UNHCR warns that the humanitarian needs of those displaced could intensify on both sides of the border.

Some 60 per cent of those arriving in Zambia are children. Many show signs of malnutrition. Malaria, respiratory problems, dysentery and skin infections are common among the refugees, who are in urgent need of protection and life-saving support. After they are registered by the Zambian authorities, most are relocated to the Kenani transit centre in Nchelenge district, about 90 kilometres from the border. Some of the new arrivals remain close to the border, waiting for their families to cross.

The Zambian government, UNHCR and the Zambian Red Cross are distributing hot meals and identifying those with specific needs, as well as providing psycho-social support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. The humanitarian response team is delivering basic items, including tents, plastic sheeting, mosquito nets, blankets, buckets, hygiene kits and soap. Temporary shelters are being erected, boreholes are being drilled for drinking water and temporary latrines are being constructed.

Because of overcrowding, UNHCR has started work on a second transit facility to receive the growing number of new arrivals. A more permanent settlement will also be developed, with a social infrastructure where new arrivals will be able to stay for longer and develop some self-sufficiency.
Since the beginning of 2017, about 5,761 Congolese have crossed the border into Zambia. In total, there are 27,338 Congolese refugees and asylum seekers in the country, among a population of 60,606 refugees and asylum seekers.

RDC: Communique du Rassamblement (30.09.2017)

RDC: LICOF – “Concerne: L’Embrasement du Kivu Holding par Joseph Kabila” (28.09.2017)

RDC: La MONUSCO Deploie des Troupes pour Proteger les Civils a UVIRA (28.09.2017)

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees calls on Democratic Republic of the Congo to protect refugees after tragic killings (19.09.2017)

So far, some 57 people with critical injuries were evacuated to Goma and the nearest city of Bukavu, while another 37 are being treated in Kamanyola.

GENEVA, Switzerland, September 19, 2017 – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is urging the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to ensure protection for refugees and asylum-seekers after a shocking shooting incident in Kamanyola on September 15 in which at least 39 people were killed and another 94 injured.

The incident took place after Congolese soldiers fired live rounds at Burundian protestors in the eastern part of the country, many of whom UNHCR believes were refugees and asylum-seekers. The protest, reported to be initially peaceful, allegedly started after a small group of Burundians were detained by Congolese authorities, creating fears they were going to be deported to Burundi.

The dead included Burundian men, women and one child. The incident also resulted in the death of one Congolese soldier, with six others wounded.

“This is a devastating tragedy. It should never have happened,” said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. He welcomed the announcement from Congolese officials to launch an inquiry into the incident and called for it to be detailed. “We need to establish facts and determine responsibility and make sure that such an incident never happens again.”

UNHCR immediately deployed a team to the area on Saturday where it is working with the medical staff of a partner organization in the local hospital to provide life-saving medical assistance to the injured.

So far, some 57 people with critical injuries were evacuated to Goma and the nearest city of Bukavu, while another 37 are being treated in Kamanyola.

The UNHCR team on the ground reports a tense situation with over 2,400 Burundians seeking protection next to the small MONUSCO (the UN peacekeeping mission in Congo) base in Kamanyola. They are too afraid to go back to the locations where they have been staying. Some refugees have expressed the wish to move elsewhere in Congo. UNHCR is working with local authorities to find a suitable location.

DRC hosts more than 43,700 refugees who have arrived from Burundi since 2015.

RDC: Rassemblement – “Mise au Point du Rassemblement” (14.09.2017)

RDC: “Concerne: Saisine du WGAD- Franck Diango c/RDC – ref hnt7ellm” (06.09.2017)

RDC: Conference de Presse du President du Rassemblement (05.09.2017)

RDC: Communique du Rassamblement (01.09.2017)

RDC: CENI – “Pour l’Evaluation du Processus Electoral Kanaga, 31 Aout 2017 – Communique Final” (31.08.2017)