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Inter-Agency Emergency Update on the DRC Situation #11

Countries
Uganda
+ 1 more
Sources
UNHCR
Publication date

242,406 Congolese refugees as of 31 December 2017
46,600 Congolese new arrivals from January to December 2017
15,815 Congolese new arrivals since 1 December 2017

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Between 24th and 29nd January 2018, some 2,059 new refugee arrivals from the Democratic of the Congo (DRC) crossed to Uganda via Kisoro (1,694), Kanungu (144) and Lake Albert (221), bringing the total number of new arrivals since 18th December 2017 to 14,151.

  • Among them, 9,427 people arrived from North Kivu through Uganda’s southwestern borders with the DRC. Another 4,724 fled DRC’s Ituri region and entered Uganda across Lake Albert using fishing boats and canoes. Children make up 54 per cent of all the new arrivals since 18th December, while women represent 23.5 per cent and men 22.5 per cent.

  • The rate of arrivals remained as high as the previous reporting period, with a daily average of 343 people. Refugees reported fleeing attacks by Mai-Mai militia in North Kivu and inter-communal violence in Ituri. During the reporting period, a higher number of male adults have arrived from Ituri compared to previous weeks. They reported that they were separated from their families when violence erupted in their villages and crossed to Uganda in search of missing family members.

  • Since 19th December, UNHCR has relocated 4,724 refugees from Lake Albert’s shores to Kagoma reception centre in Kyangwali settlement, Hoima district. Some 3,567 Congolese were settled in Malembo C, where the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) completed biometric registration this week. Another 483 new arrivals were allocated land in Mombasa, which opened on 24th January. The reception centre currently hosts 674 Congolese.

  • Health partners continue to provide comprehensive health services in Malembo C and Mombasa. However, there is a need to recruit 32 additional health workers to ensure delivery of quality services and to expand the shaded areas for outpatient services. For the Education sector, key priorities are carrying out registration of all school-age children and establishing a primary school with two Early Child Development (ECD) centres. To date, the provision of shelter for 60 vulnerable refugees has remained unaddressed.

  • Since 21st December, UNHCR has transferred 7,751 Congolese refugees from Nyakabande transit centre to Kyaka II settlement, Kyegegwa district, with two convoys of 1,203 and 1,132 individuals on 26th and 29th January respectively. During the reporting period, 24 Congolese were transferred to Rwamwanja (21) and Kyangwali (3) for family reunification. Some 2,094 new arrivals remain at the transit centre awaiting relocation.

  • At Kyaka II, 4,868 new arrivals were settled at Kakoni and another 1,751 at Byabakora. Some 1,132 remain at Swese reception centre awaiting allocation of land. Construction work is ongoing to increase the capacity of the reception centre from 700 to 1,200. Partners have so far identified over 900 persons with specific needs (PSNs) among the new arrivals, including 145 unaccompanied minors and separated children.