Humanitarian Response in the Democratic Republic of Congo - UNICEF 2009

The situation remains extremely volatile in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) particularly in the provinces of North Kivu and Orientale. Renewed clashes between armed opposition groups with government forces and foreign troops are resulting in significant displacement widespread looting sexual and gender-based violence and a deterioration of humanitarian conditions. It is estimated that altogether over 1.4 million people remain displaced in DRC and that many have been displaced repeatedly. On a daily basis displaced people face insecurity weak health services and lack of food survival items safe water and sanitation facilities. CIDA's contribution is used to support the United Nations Children's Fund's (UNICEF) humanitarian response in eastern DRC. This response includes working to strengthen UNICEF's coordination capacity and accountabilities in the following five areas: water sanitation and hygiene; nutrition; emergency non-food items and shelter; education and telecommunications. In addition through its Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) UNICEF is conducting rapid multi-sector needs assessments to provide essential humanitarian assistance to populations made critically vulnerable by the ongoing conflict. The RRM focuses on health and nutrition education child protection water sanitation and hygiene and the provision of household relief supplies and emergency shelter materials.