USAID/OFDA Democratic Republic of Congo Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #1

This conflict has resulted in high levels of insecurity and continuing population displacement in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Orientale provinces. The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has also increased its activity in the DRC since 2008, impacting populations in Orientale Province. As of late February, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that more than 1.68 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) resided in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Orientale provinces, accounting for 94 percent of the estimated 1.8 million IDPs in the DRC. The majority of IDPs in these provinces are in need of humanitarian assistance, including shelter, food, and protection. In North Kivu Province, confrontations between the FARDC and armed opposition groups continue to cause displacement, with approximately 8,000 people displaced in Lubero Territory as of April 13. Despite ongoing insecurity, more than $3 million in USAID/OFDA FY 2011 funding is benefiting as many as 296,000 people in North Kivu Province through health, protection, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) activities. In South Kivu Province, the number of IDPs rose from more than 648,000 people to approximately 689,000 people between August 31 and March 31. Inadequate road infrastructure and attacks on relief workers continue to impede humanitarian access throughout the province. In early April, two FDLR attacks on civilians displaced more than 6,400 people in Shabunda Territory. In Orientale Province, LRA combatants continue to contribute to insecurity, particularly in Dungu, Faradje, and Niangara territories. Between January and March, 86 LRA attacks against civilians resulted in 44 deaths and 33 injured persons. The total number of IDPs in Orientale Province rose from approximately 383,000 on August 31 to nearly 437,000 people on March 31. USAID/OFDA FY 2011 funding provides economic recovery and health interventions for approximately 175,000 IDPs and host community members in Orientale Province. Ongoing USAID/OFDA FY 2010 funding continues to support protection activities, including reintegration support for former child abductees of the LRA, as well as agricultural interventions in South Kivu Province to improve food security for nearly 43,000 beneficiaries. The U.S. government has provided significant humanitarian assistance to the DRC, with a total of $54,005,052 in USAID and State humanitarian assistance provided to date. This funding addresses humanitarian protection, provides health services, and supports household livelihoods for as many as 470,000 people in North Kivu and Orientale provinces.