FY14 Q4 Quarterly Report: Emergency Assistance to Conflict-Affected Populations-III

The program focuses on five areas: Mweso, Karisimbi, Kashuga, Kitchanga, and Nyiragongo. It also expands on economic recovery support to 1,080 camp residents, promoting self-sufficiency strategies to increase their autonomy and self-reliance. The security situation in the region remains precarious, with ongoing tensions between the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and various rebel groups. Clashes between FARDC and the Patriotic Alliance for a Free and Sovereign Congo (APCLS) resulted in armed conflicts, causing population movements and damages to homes, infrastructure, and human rights violations. The return of demobilized armed group elements from the Bweremanan cantonment center to their communities of origin suggests renewed harassment and protection incidents against civilians. Between January and March 2014, the program focused on two main interventions in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) sector. The first intervention aimed at restoring access to drinkable water in highly vulnerable areas of return, while the second intervention involved the completion of feasibility studies of the water system in Mungote. Mercy Corps ensured access to clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene promotion support in 21 IDP camps, providing an overall average of 16.0 liters of clean water per person per day, well beyond the North Kivu WASH Cluster standard. In the Economic Recovery and Market Systems (ERMS) sector, the Catholic Church Muungano in Goma was selected to conduct technical training in dressmaking and carpentry for 200 beneficiaries of livelihood activities from four camps around Goma and three camps in Mweso health zone. The training will be launched following the signature of the service contract. The program provided essential WASH services to approximately 232,274 conflict-affected individuals, including IDPs and host communities, during this reporting period. The project also supported YGL in addressing the increased water needs in Mugunga I, III, and Lac Vert IDP camps on the outskirts of Goma. The return of armed groups to their areas of origin suggests renewed harassment and protection incidents against civilians, highlighting the need for continued support to conflict-affected populations. The EACAP-III program has made significant progress in ensuring access to clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene promotion support in IDP camps. However, the security situation in the region remains precarious, and the return of armed groups to their areas of origin suggests ongoing challenges to the program's objectives.