Congo (DR) Appeal Update 5: Six month update

OVERVIEW OF CURRENT SITUATION

Although now out of the public gaze, Eastern DRC remains a troubled area. DEC Member Agency and Partner staff are working in areas where a large number armed men from different factions remain a risk to the agencies and population as a whole. Coping strategies within the communities are being generally worn down with children, women and the elderly remaining especially vulnerable to physical and sexual attack. Some agencies have found that as they work with the displaced and host populations the need far exceeds their initial assessments.

At the time of the appeal around 1.2 million people had left their homes in search of safety. 7 months on some have moved back to their villages however more people are fleeing as fighting breaks out in their area. By the end of June 2009 1.1 million people remained displaced within Eastern DRC.

PROGRAMME PROGRESS

At the 6 month stage 4 members have used all the funds allocated and will present their report at the end of July. This gives an overall expenditure of £4,357,347 representing 79% of the £5.5 million initially allocated. All agencies are on track to complete their programmes within the 9 month timeframe with many having exceeded their original expectations, having already reached over 190,568 households.

DEC Member agencies are all linked into the United Nations coordination mechanism which ensures there is no duplication of effort and that as far as funds will allow the most pressing needs are met. They continue to work providing relief items, food and non-food including shelter materials. Supporting local health services remains a priority for some, as the local provision is generally very weak. The Government usually prefer that people make a financial contribution for drugs and care but DEC agencies have successfully pleaded for these to be given free in the conflict areas. As a consequence the use of health services for antenatal, maternity and treatment for the sick has markedly increased.

Some agencies have focused on providing clean water and building latrines to help prevent the spread of waterborne diseases. These initiatives will be of benefit to the local population long after the conflict has subsided and people returned home.

With an appalling level of sexual and gender based violence, some agencies have designed programmes to specifically assist victims. This has involved raising the awareness amongst the general population, both men and women, and helping victims by referring them to specialist services and training counsellors to offer support.

 

Health Water & Sanitation Education & Food
  • Free and subsidised medical treatment for 29,000 households and 48,758 individuals
  • Drugs and medical equipment supplied to 14 health centres, 11 nutritional centres and 6 hospitals
  • 17 counsellors trained to help victims of sexual violence; 337 victims received counselling.
  • Increased awareness & prevention of HIV/AIDS among 46,298 individuals; 51 individuals received further health and social support
  • 854 staff trained in treatment of malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, and Cholera
  • Immunisation programme reaching 8528 people
  • 1599 children treated for moderate and severe malnutrition
  • 77326 children screened for malnutrition
  • Health education sessions reaching 13909 people
  • 666 Handwashing facilities or packs provided in IDP Camps
  • Improved access to safe drinking water for 31,492 households
  • 190 showers installed .
  • 105 Water sources constructed and protected.
  • 2577 people trained in hygiene promotion
  • 1,975 latrines built including 155 public latrines
  • Hygiene kits distributed to 19,586
  • 6,251 HH's received kits for water storage
  • 1,968 trained in handwashing to reduce cholera risk
  • Improved access to education and learning materials for 2773 displaced children
  • 500 women participating in adult literacy classes
  • 25 Teachers trained
  • Food rations or vouchers distributed to 11,817 HH
Non-Food Items Protection Livelihoods
  • Sleeping mats distributed to 3101 people, including 737 pregnant women
  • 18,358 households received relief items including jerry cans, bedding and cooking pans
  • Clothing distributed to 3795 children and elderly.
  • 40514 blankets distributed
  • 6334 mosquito nets distributed
  • 200 sets of baby clothes distributed
  • Plastic sheeting for shelter distributed to 2900 households
  • 1516 children reunified with their families and further tracings launched
  • 135 people trained in child protection
  • 40 listening posts set up in camps for the displaced
  • 707 people trained in civilian protection and human rights
  • Advocacy on IDP rights among 324 women
  • 72 members trained in peaceful conflict resolution
  • Sexual and gender based violence education sessions reaching 13909 people
  • 6 protection committees established in IDP camps
  • Fuel efficent stoves and provision of firewood to protect women
  • 4932 returning families receive early recovery support in livelihoods
  • 932 Households have improved food security as a result of distribution of 70 kgs seeds and 6000 hoes
  • 4 markets for the benefit of vulnerable households

HOW OUR MEMBERS ARE ACHIEVING SECTOR STANDARDS

Building upon local capacities:

SCUK – Community leaders are involved in the identification of unaccompanied and separated children, and child protection committees have been put together to ensure a protection mechanism is supported at community level.

BRCS – The International Committee of the Red Cross is providing more support to the DRC Red Cross staff and volunteers, including coaching and supervision to boost their capacity to help them fulfil their responsibilities effectively. The DR Congo Red Cross restore family links network, respond to the needs of thousands of demobilized child soldiers, undertake more water and sanitation activities for displaced people and distribution of essential household items and emergency food rations.

Accountability to Beneficiaries:

CAFOD – Beneficiaries were consulted at each stage of the programme. Local committees were set up to approve water and sanitation projects, monitor how they are carried out and manage the use and maintenance of the new facilities.

The health project was designed and implemented by local management and medical staff; the policy of free delivery of services was widely discussed with local communities in order to be sure that a suitable strategy will be in place when CAFOD withdraw their support.

Respect of culture, and customs:

TEARFUND – In order to ensure that culture, customs and privacy of the displaced people is respected separate latrines and showers for men and women were constructed in the camps.

LESSONS LEARNED

TEARFUND:

Working through capable local partners and supporting them in their specific areas of expertise, in a disaster response, eases the investment needed for technical support and enables effective scaling up

Permanent good maintenance of sanitation facilities is crucial to avoid epidemics

Poor shelter reduces the effectiveness of other preventive measures on the health situation of displaced people

CASE STUDY

ActionAid Case story: One woman from a partner organization attended a meeting aimed at organizing an “Agricultural Fair for Peace” to mark the arrival of President Kabila in Goma on June 30th, 2009 (49th anniversary of DRC independence). There was no opportunity to enable displaced people to promote their issues with a ‘stand’. This woman discussed the issue with ActionAid’s Women’s Rights Coordinator, who was subsequently able to secure a space for a number of displaced women at the event.

CHALLENGES

The number of armed men Across Northern Kivu is having a negative impact on children’s protection, with many children vulnerable to, or victims of, rape. Save the Children is starting to reach these children, but are challenged by the huge number and scale of the problem.

A shortage of operating partners and the high levels of insecurity mean that consistent access is challenging. This means that levels of need remain high. Despite these difficulties DEC Member Agencies consider they have made gains in most areas of the code of conduct and meeting SPHERE standards although the challenge of ensuring high standards of response remains.

NEXT 3 MONTHS AND BEYOND

With the remaining funds under this allocation DEC Member Agencies will complete their programmes. Some have shifted the emphasis from providing household items which meet the needs of the newly displaced to packs that will help with and encourage people to return to their villages. These include tools and seeds so they can take advantage of the next planting season.

The DEC has a further £1.3 million remaining from appeal funds gift aid and interest. This will be allocated to member agencies over the next few weeks for programmes that could run up to May 2010.