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Democratic Republic of the Congo UNHCR Operational Update, 1 - 30 September 2018

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DR Congo
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UNHCR
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The security situation and human rights environment in Beni Territory, North Kivu Province, significantly deteriorated. UNHCR is trying to ensure continuous presence in Beni through missions from Goma and other offices.

New arrivals of South Sudanese refugees are creating growing shelter and space needs.

The capacity of Meri settlement is of 20,000 people, but 33,517 refugees currently reside there. 24,371 refugees at Lusenda site received biomass briquettes; the first distribution of this scale for Burundian refugees in South Kivu Province. Biomass briquettes provide an environmentally-friendly solution for cooking.

Refugees

Burundian refugees

As of the end of September, 310 refugees at Lusenda site were registered as candidates for voluntary repatriation. On 18 September, 10 voluntarily returned to Burundi from Uvira, South Kivu Province.
UNHCR provided transport and repatriation kits. 3 non-registered family members were also transported.

■ Between 31 August and 7 September, 305 refugees at Mulongwe settlement received cash transfers through mobile money. US$21,178 was transferred to cover school fees for the third trimester and construction costs for shelters, showers and latrines.

■ UNHCR relocated 1,232 Burundian refugees from transit centres to Mulongwe settlement between 1 and 17 September. Upon arrival, they were given non-food item (NFI) kits, and were temporarily hosted in common dormitories. They will be allocated plots of land and given cash and shelter kits. The relocation, which had been on hold due to funding constraints, eased the situation in overcrowded transit centres.

■ UNHCR is in talks with its partner CNR to renew the refugee certificates and ID cards of 1,165 Burundian refugees residing in Tanganyika Province. The refugees’ documents expired in May.

■ UNHCR’s partner ADES vaccinated 7,618 refugee children against poliomyelitis in Lusenda and Mulongwe.

■ 24,371 refugees at Lusenda site received biomass briquettes, totalling 66,430 kg distributed, in the first distribution of this scale for Burundian refugees in South Kivu Province. Biomass briquettes are produced by refugees and locals, and provide an alternative and environmentally-friendly solution for cooking. The distribution was organised by UNHCR’s partner AIDES.

■ A 5,000-liter tank and 14 water taps were finalised at Mulongwe settlement to improve access to drinking water, bringing the total of functioning water taps to 44. The ratio is therefore of 148 people per water tap, well within the humanitarian standard of 200.

■ UNHCR and its partner War Child launched professional training courses in basket-making, beekeeping and mushroom-growing for 90 Burundian refugees selected in Lusenda and Mulongwe.

As part of Ebola and cholera prevention measures, UNHCR’s partner ADES installed additional handwashing stations in all Burundian refugee sites, with regular sensitization campaigns carried out.

■ UNHCR’s Regional Refugee Coordinator for the Burundian refugee situation, Ms. Catherine Wiesner, visited Lusenda and Mulongwe in South Kivu Province.