FY15 Q4 Quarterly Report: Emergency Assistance to Conflict-Affected Populations - V (EACAP-V)

The program comprehensively responds to the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) needs of conflict-affected populations to reduce mortality and morbidity related to water-borne illnesses. The program is supported by USAID/OFDA and works with a local partner, Yme Grands Lacs (YGL), to manage the Nyabyunyu pumping and gravity water system delivering potable water to the IDP camps around Goma in collaboration with local Lac Vert and Mugunga host communities. Additionally, Mercy Corps has signed a partnership agreement with a local NGO, Netrese, for hygiene promotion activities in five IDP sites located in remote areas of the province. During the first quarter of the EACAP-V project (July-September 2015), activities were focused on construction work for water and sanitation systems, as well as hygiene promotion in the target camps. Mercy Corps continued to provide water and maintain water systems in all camps, including pumping and treatment systems, gravity-fed water systems, and spring catchments. The ongoing conflict in North Kivu Province has escalated over the past year following the launch of SOKOLA II, the offensive of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). Clashes between the regular army and the rebel group in different areas of the province, particularly in Rutshuru and Masisi territories, have resulted in large-scale preventive and reactive displacements. The statistics on movements of population shared by OCHA on September 25th, 2015, confirm the concerning trends observed at the field level. Notably, there were 123,649 new internally displaced persons in September only, bringing the consolidated number of IDPs since January 2009 to 744,494 people (against 604,562 in June for instance). In Mercy Corps' areas of intervention, the trends are reverse in Goma (with a decreasing IDP population) and in Masisi and Rutshuru (with an increasing IDP population). Cumulative data for the sector show a total of 151,048 IDPs reached, with 109,548 IDPs in the target area. In Goma, there were 12,665 displaced people in September 25, 2015, a clear decrease of 2,556 or 16.8% compared to the data from June, when there were 15,221 IDPs. This decline could be related to updates of site statistics around Goma and the closure of the Lac Vert IDPs camps. Most IDPs living in camps (about 25% of the total number of IDPs in the province) are found in Masisi (118,629 persons) and Rutshuru (49,703) territories, where Mercy Corps operates. Recent fighting in Rutshuru and Masisi has caused civilians to find refuge in Ibuga, Kashuga, Mweso, and Kitshanga. Between July and September, Ibuga, Kashuga 2, Mpati, Kivuye, and Mweso camps received about 9,000 new IDPs. Mercy Corps' staff use vehicles purchased through USAID/OFDA funding for all movements, while transport of materials to the field is carried out using a rental truck. The program has made significant progress in providing essential WaSH services in IDP camps in North Kivu, preventing the spread of cholera. The program has also implemented hygiene promotion activities in five IDP sites, reaching a total of 151,048 IDPs.