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Democratic Republic of the Congo UNHCR Operational Update, 1 - 28 February 2018

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DR Congo
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UNHCR
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Violence in Djugu Territory (Ituri Province), escalated and forced a large number of Congolese to flee to neighboring territories and the city of Bunia, while others crossed Lake Albert by boat to Uganda.

Two new UNHCR Field Offices, in Bondo and Monga, were opened to provide better protection and assistance to new arrivals from the Central African Republic in remote areas of Bas-Uele Province.

The rehabilitation of the Katalukulu Health Center near Mulongwe site (South Kivu) was completed and medical staff was hired. The Center will benefit both Burundian refugees and host community

Update on Achievements

Burundian refugees

  • In February, 966 refugees were transferred to Mulongwe site from transit centers. At the end of the month, the total number of refugees in Mulongwe was 2,668 including 11 newborn babies and 29 cases of family reunification registered on 8th February.

  • 363 new arrivals from Burundi were registered in Monge Monge Transit Center between 14th and 15th February.

  • UNHCR’s Protection team visited 12 refugees detained by the national police in a prison near Lusenda. Following the visit, nine of them were released. The team also reported bad detention conditions, and plans to advocate with the police to improve the situation.

  • In Mulongwe site, 477 students, among them 427 refugees, received school material, including notebooks, pens, crayons, etc. from Education Cluster contingency stock.
    Partner ActionAid identified other 1,840 students who did not received the kit yet and who will be served in the coming weeks.

  • The rehabilitation of the Katalukulu Health Center near Mulongwe site was completed and medical staff was hired. The Center will be fully operational at the beginning of March and will enable refugees to receive free healthcare and locals to benefit from reduced fees.

  • An awareness campaign about HIV/AIDS was organized in Lusenda and Mulongwe sites offering free voluntary screening. 100 refugees reached by the campaign opted for the screening.

  • In Lusenda camp, a new water tank was installed, bringing water availability up to 17.5 liter per person per day. In Mulongwe site, 12 latrines and 7 showers were completed and other 48 latrines and 38 showers were under construction for the common dorms.

  • In Mulongwe, 20 common dorms were completed and 478 refugee households received their plot of land where they can build their own shelter and latrine. 320 shelter and latrine kits were distributed to households in order to speed up the process. UNHCR and its partners provide technical assistance for the construction work.

  • 409 hectares of cultivable land were identified in Mulongwe and will be shortly made available for refugee households for farming, in addition to 87 hectares already available. Furthermore, 1,400 young refugees were identified to participate in professional trainings.

  • Due to budget constraints, on 7th February, World Food Programme (WFP) announced that only one food fair will be organized for January and February. Moreover, the amount of the voucher will be reduced from 15$ to 12$ starting from March. Refugees organized peaceful demonstrations against these reductions. In Mulongwe, WFP held the first food fair of 2 days on 6th February. Furthermore, 26 people with specific needs as well as their families living outside the camp received food supplies for three months from WFP through partner ADES.