Burundi
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Tanzania
Uganda
Table showing the affected populations in the Great Lakes region
|
Country |
IDPs |
Refugees |
Total Affected Populations |
|
Burundi |
432,818 |
28,800 |
461,618 |
|
DRC |
2,045,000 |
361,720 |
2,406,720 |
|
Tanzania |
N/A |
543,145 |
543,145 |
|
Uganda |
535,107 |
175,819 |
710,926 |
|
Total |
3,012,925 |
1,143,418 |
4,156,343 |
Burundi has been suffering the effects of an ethnic war that has resulted in the deaths of over 250,000 people. The war has largely been a conflict between Hutu rebels and the mainly Tutsi dominated army. Approximately 85 % of Burundi’s population is Hutu and violence broke out in 1993 when the Tutsi dominated army assassinated the president, a Hutu, who was freely elected in country-wide elections. The resulting violence has resulted in massive internal displacement and has driven hundreds of thousands more Burundians to seek refuge outside of the country. In July 2002 it was estimated that 387,469 people were internally displaced in 226 official displaced camps (UNICEF 17/07/02). It is estimated that a further 845,000 have fled the country, mostly to Tanzania, where approximately 357,000 are currently in camps (RI 15/05/02).
In August 2000, various political parties from Burundi came together in Aursha, Tanzania, and signed a widely feted peace accords. The accords provided the framework for the establishment of a 3-year transitional government, led for the first 18 months by a Tutsi and for the second 18 months by a Hutu. The accords also laid the foundations for ethnically balanced armed forces. The first tenure of the transitional government began in November 2001 and was accompanied by great expectations for peace in the country. However, the much anticipated cease fire of hostilities has not occurred because the two main rebel groups; the Force pour la Defense de la Democracie (FDD) and the Force Nationales de Liberations (FNL), were not signatories of the Arusha accords. Peace negotiations have taken place, but the failure to bring about a cease-fire has resulted in continued violence, continued displacement and a continuation of the stark humanitarian situation.
The humanitarian situation
Despite the creation of a transitional government in November 2001, fighting has been ongoing and the humanitarian situation continues to be bleak in many areas of the country as a result. The continued insecurity repeatedly drives people from their lands and livelihoods and continuously erodes their ability to cope with the deteriorating situation. WFP has estimated that 634,643 people, or 9 % of the total population, from all 17 provinces will require emergency assistance between June and December 2002 (WFP 21/06/02). The conflict is characterised by repeated displacement and the looting of food and belongings and the general terrorising of the civilian population. Fighting has escalated from March 2002 in Burundi’s western Bujumbura Rural Province and there are reports of insecurity and open conflictin many areas of the country, particularly in the east and southeast. Continuing military operations have displaced 84,000 people in Bujumbura Rural since January 2002 and fighting in the area is continuing. A further 40,000 were displaced from Kibuye, southeast of Bujumbura and 32,000 in Ruyigi, eastern Burundi (UNOCHA 30/05/02; USAID 20/06/02). The fighting and general poor security in many areas is continuing to hamper humanitarian access to areas most affected by the violence. This includes IDPs in the 226 registered IDP settlements, as well as many more displaced, non-displaced and refugees, who are all affected by the ongoing situation. The UN have indicated that up to 1 million people within the country depend on humanitarian aid in Burundi and without considerable advances in the peace process, including the vital cease fire, the needs and dependency on humanitarian assistance will remain high.
The overall food security situation has improved when compared to the disastrous harvests and high burden of disease experienced a couple of years ago. However, many households remain extremely vulnerable and are increasingly unable to access their farming land through actual insecurity or fear of being attacked. Areas of particular concern are Cankuzo, Ruyigi, Rutana, Makamba and Bujumbura Rural province, as well as all areas bordering the Kibira forest (USAID 20/06/02). The needs of the many vulnerable groups are being addressed by WFP, who are providing regular food distributions with most families receiving a ration of maize, pulses and cooking oil. The current nutritional situation in the country is thought to be precarious, however needs are extremely varied with rates of malnutrition being high in some areas and reduced in others. The incidence of malnutrition has dropped since the high rates seen in 2000 and it has been noted that there continues to be a drop in the number of people attending both supplementary and therapeutic feeding centres in the country. The security situation undoubtedly plays a very significant role in the current level of humanitarian needs in differing areas.
The reporting period has seen the return of thousands of Burundian refugees from neighbouring Tanzania. There are over half a million registered Burundian refugees in Tanzania, the vast majority of them in camps close to the Burundian border. The presence of so many refugees has been a source of discomfort for the Tanzanian government for some time and has led to considerable friction with the authorities in Burundi. An agreement between UNHCR and the governments of Tanzania and Burundi established a framework for assisted repatriations and the reporting period has seen large numbers of Burundians, many of whom have been resident in Tanzania for some time, register for repatriation. It is estimated that 80,000 refugees have registered for repatriation and that over 16,000 have actually joined UNHCR convoys and gone home (UNOCHA 08/07/02). The majority of returnees are going to Muyinga in the north where there is an existing IDP population of 15,954 people in 17 sites (UNICEF 17/07/02). The assisted repatriations have been to the relatively secure northern regions, but many of the refugees are hoping to return to areas such as Rutana and Ruyigi in the south where the security situation is still very poor. There have been some reports of returns to Ruyigi, but UNHCR have stated that these returns were spontaneous. The greatest problem for the future of the returns remains insecurity. However, questions have also been raised over what the majority will return to, as the destroyed infrastructure, including health, schooling and housing as well as a lack of agricultural land, will make life very difficult for returnees. As the security situation appears to worsen there are indications that refugees who had previously signed up for repatriation are dropping out of the process and there is an overriding air of "wait and see" for many of the refugees. Without significant improvements to the security situation it seems unlikely that repatriation will continue as it was initially anticipated.
Bujumbura Rural
The security situation in Bujumbura Rural continues to be extremely volatile with continued fighting between government troops and rebels. Bujumbura Rural has been the scene of fierce fighting for many years as rebels have launched repeated attacks on or near the capital Bujumbura. Recent fighting has included a June 22 clash between the government and Hutu rebels that resulted in significant displacement and, as a result, UNOCHA have reported that over 20,000 people are in need of food and other assistance (UNOCHA 04/07/02). There has also been mass displacement from Ruziba, south of the capital, with an estimated 15,000 people affected (AFP 30/06/02). The fighting has resulted in 18,363 officially registered IDPs in 13 sites but many more exist in the province (UNICEF 17/06/02). The fighting appears set to continue and will restrict access to affected populations as well as preventing access to land and livelihood activities. There have also been reports of a cholera out-break in the Bujumbura Mairie region with up to 100 cases identified. This illustrates the vulnerability of people to communicable disease and is indicative of the generally poor water and sanitation conditions of many settlements in the area. The RNIS does not have any recent nutritional information from the area but the population is assumed to be extremely vulnerable.
Karuzi
The province of Karuzi has been badly affected in the past by insecurity, disease and high rates of acute malnutrition. The security situation continues to be volatile and the situation in the province is generally poor as a result of its relative geographic isolation, the destruction of existing infrastructure and the presence of an estimated 9,131 IDPs in 11 sites (UNICEF 17/07/02). There are likely to be many more IDPs in the area living outside of the camps with host communities. Recent nutrition surveys in the province have shown an improvement in the general nutritional situation. In March 2002 MSF-B conducted a survey to assess the prevalence of acute malnutrition. The survey indicated that there was an estimated prevalence of acute malnutrition of 4.2 % (W/Ht < -2 Z scores and/or oedema), which included 0.4 % of severe malnutrition (W/Ht < -3 Z scores and/or oedema). The survey also estimated mortality and indicated that the CMR was 0.7/10,000/day and the under-five mortality 1.8/10,000/day (MSF-B 03/02). The results indicate that the situation is not critical, with the prevalence of malnutrition falling well within emergency thresholds. It is also important to note that the situation appears to have remained stable since the last survey in September 2001. The mortality rates are also below normal thresholds, however they do appear elevated from expected baseline levels and indicate a problem of poor public health. The survey attributes the stability of the malnutrition rate to the relatively good economic situation in the province, which has aided accessibility to food sources and the good availability of food. The situation has also been helped by favourable climatic conditions for agriculture and the good and timely delivery of humanitarian aid. It is also noted that the incidence of malaria has dropped significantly since the out-break of a couple of years ago (MSF-B 03/02).
Overall
The humanitarian situation remains extremely precarious and, despite the ongoing peace negotiations, the reporting period has seen an upsurge in violence and armed clashes between the government and rebel groups. The clashes continue to result in displacement and have seriously affected humanitarian access to affected populations with areas in the south and east of the country being worst affected. IDPs should be considered to be extremely vulnerable (category II) and the situation has the potential for further deterioration unless a cease-fire can be negotiated.
Recommendations
From the MSF-B survey in Karuzi, March 2002
· Continue follow up for selective feeding programmes.
· Continue general food distributions to affected populations.
· Continue the seed distributions and seed protection rations.
· Closely follow the malaria situation in the region.
The humanitarian situation in DRC continues to be extremely precarious despite the ongoing peace process and the signing of a peace agreement between the Kinshasa regime and the Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC) in April 2002. The country is suffering from years of instability that has drawn in a number of neighbouring countries and resulted in a hugely complex protracted emergency. The emergency has resulted in the displacement of millions of people and irrevocably disrupted and destroyed the livelihoods of millions more.
For some time, the country has been split largely into three separate areas. The first area is in the west and is controlled by the Kinshasa government with the support of Angola, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The second is in the north in the provinces of Equateur and parts of Orientale and is controlled by the Movement for the Liberation of Congo. The third region is in the east of the country in the provinces of the Kivus, Maniema and parts of Orientale and Katanga. It is controlled by the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD-Goma) and supported by Rwanda. Numerous opposing forces in each area, which has meant that open conflict is almost continuous, further complicate the situation.
The latest developments have been an agreement between the Kinshasa government and the MLC to end hostilities and establish a transitional government that would share control over approximately 70 % of the country. There have been some disagreements over the implementation of the agreement and, in particular, the control of the armed forces (UNOCHA 09/07/02) but in general the agreement appears to be holding. Much more concerning for the humanitarian situation is the failure of the third groups, the RCD-Goma, to sign the agreement and their stated opposition to it. As a result, conflict has continued unabated in the eastern part of the country, which remains the worst affected region.
War displaced populations
The war in DRC has resulted in the displacement of millions of people and last official estimates indicated that there are in excess of 2.2 million displaced throughout the country. However it remains extremely difficult to ascertain numbers with any precision because of the vastness of the country and the lack of access to so many of the worst affected areas. Many of the displaced are in hiding from further violence and are located deep within forest areas where it is difficult to verify numbers. The reporting period has seen the continuation of mass displacement, particularly in the eastern regions of the country, and the numbers continue to increase. It is also estimated that there are approximately 365,025 refugees from Angola, Sudan, Rwanda, Central African Republic, Burundi and Uganda scattered throughout the country (USAID 02/05/02).
Humanitarian situation
The humanitarian situation across the country continues to be extremely poor despite the ongoing peace process. The reporting period has seen the continuation of fighting, particularly in the east of the country. Ultimately the humanitarian context is largely shaped by the years of conflict that have left the country in ruins, destroying infrastructure and the economy. Almost 2.3 million people have been displaced from their land and livelihoods and less than half of this number have access to assistance due to the inability of aid agencies to access the most needy populations.
The fighting in both urban and rural areas continues to displace populations, destroy infrastructure and restrict access to basic amenities such as health and education. There has also been a very profound and negative impact on the food security of the country. This is a result of both food availability and of poor access to food sources. Food availability has been affected by the restriction of access to agricultural land, which has had the effect of substantially reducing typical harvest yields. For those who are able to farm, the insecurity has effectively destroyed traditional markets, providing a further disincentive to produce surplus. For example the east was the traditional supplier of food to Kinshasa in the west and this market is no longer available. As a result, the price of food items has risen, particularly in urban markets. The collapse of the economy and of most livelihood systems has left much of the population impoverished and the rate of unemployment is extremely high. This has severely affected people’s purchasing power and left many struggling to meet even the most basic of needs and many have little or no access to health care or education. Various studies and surveys have indicated the severity of the situation and shown that common humanitarian indicators such as malnutrition and mortality rates are unacceptably high (USAID 02/05/02)
Key features of the current humanitarian situation have been the continuation of violence in the east with reports indicating that fighting has been particularly fierce in South Kivu province where there are estimated to be 435,000 IDPs. The ongoing violence and insecurity has restricted humanitarian access to many of the worst affected areas and as a result distributions of essential food rations have been disrupted as well as the provision of medical care. The peace negotiations have been ongoing and the MLC leader is expected to take up the position of prime minister in Kinshasa, but has not done so to date. On a regional level, there has been a significant agreement between Kinshasa and Rwanda to ensure the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from DRC. The agreement is seen as a significant development in the conflict in the east and it is hoped that it will bring greater stability to the area (BBC 22/07/02).
The low level of funding received through the 2002 UN Consolidated Annual Appeal is a cause for concern, particularly given the high needs in the country. Of the 194 million US dollars requested only 42 million or 21 % has been pledged to date (UNSC 05/06/02).
Western Region
The western region has remained under the control of the Kinshasa government but has been very badly affected by the ongoing hostilities in the country. The city of Kinshasa once relied on the fertile agricultural regions in the east for food and agricultural products but the conflict has cut off the traditional trade routes and meant that the city has to rely increasingly on the provinces of Bandundu and Bas-Congo. Food that is available is of a very high price and is often beyond the means of a population impoverished by high rates of unemployment and a collapsed economy. A recent report by FAO in Kinshasa has shown that there are significant levels of food insecurity, with much of the poor in densely populated areas of the city, eating woefully inadequate amounts. The report found that the average daily calorie intake was estimated to be 1,381 Kcals, which represents a shortfall of 40 % from internationally accepted norms. This is extremely alarming as such low levels of food intake, coupled with an extremely poor public health environment and lack of access to health services, makes the likelihood of nutritional decline and its associated morbidity and mortality increasingly likely. The report suggests that the primary reason for the poor intake is the lack of purchasing power of many households. The report also estimates that the average daily expenditure on food is 29 cents a day. The results are corroborated by the huge rates of unemployment in the city. The situation has been further exacerbated by the difficulty of transporting food due to the poor transportation infrastructure and lack of serviceable vehicles (UNOCHA 19/07/02). The RNIS does not have any recent nutritional information from Kinshasa or other areas in the West but the situation is assumed to be extremely poor.
Northern Region
Equateur
Equateur has an estimated 85,000 IDPs scattered throughout the province and has been badly affected by the presence of the front line that divided the province between the rebel MLC and the Kinshasa government. Recent nutrition and mortality surveys show a clear correlation between the severity of the situation and proximity to the front line and it is hoped that the power sharing agreement between the government and the MLC will bring an end to much of the violence in the province and allow people to begin to rebuild their lives. However, in the short term the situation looks set to be extremely poor due to the high level of grinding poverty and chronic food insecurity. The RNIS does not have any recent nutrition information for this region.
Orientale
The situation in the northeastern province of Orientale is characterised by severe insecurity, with as many as 250,000 people displaced, although the true figure is likely to be far larger. In mid May 2002 there was an uprising in the town of Kisangani that brought about a fresh outbreak of violence that resulted in the death of over 200 people, many through summary execution. The violence mirrors a similar event in the city in 2000 where up to 1,200 people were killed (Amnesty International 12/06/02). Reports indicate that an uneasy calm has returned to the city but the situation remains extremely volatile and indicative of how easily extreme violence can break out. It is the underlying tensions, even without direct conflict, that are preventing many people from returning to their land or restarting livelihood activities. There have also been reports of continued violence in the Ituri district around the town of Bunia, where the presence of various rebel groups and members of the Ugandan military have complicated ethnic tensions. The fighting has resulted in continued displacement. The RNIS does not have any recent nutritional information for these areas but the situation is assumed to be extremely precarious.
Southern and Eastern DRC
The situation in southern and eastern DRC remains extremely precarious largely as a result of continued insecurity in many areas. The region contains the majority of the country’s IDPs and the reporting period has seen large scale displacement of population and the inability of the humanitarian community to reach those most in need. Nutrition surveys from the region have repeatedly shown very high rates of acute malnutrition and mortality reports have shown that rates of mortality have been huge, indicating a desperately poor and highly protracted humanitarian disaster.
Kasai Orientale Province
Kasai Orientale has had the front line running through it for some years and has been affected by the ongoing insecurity. However, the front line has been fairly static for the last few years and many areas remain fairly secure. MDM conducted a nutrition survey in June 2002 in Tshofa zone, which is situated 140 Km from the front line area. However the zone has been more or less an enclave for some time, cut off by the front line and the lack of roads to the east. The area suffers from chronic food insecurity and there were reports of a large measles epidemic earlier in the year. The survey indicated that there was an estimated prevalence of acute malnutrition of 12.2 % (W/Ht < -2 Z scores and/or oedema), which included 2.7 % of severe malnutrition (W/Ht < -3 Z scores and/or oedema). Mortality rates were also measured and crude mortality was estimated at 1.1/10,000/day and under-five mortality at 3.3/10,000/day. The prevalence of malnutrition is elevated above emergency thresholds and gives cause for alarm. The poor situation is further corroborated by the mortality rates, which are all above emergency thresholds, particularly for the under-five population. The reasons given for the poor situation are the poor food security of the area and the very high rate of morbidity. The survey showed that 75 % of all children interviewed had experienced an episode of sickness during the two weeks prior to the survey and the measles outbreak is also probably responsible for high child mortality. It is also important to note that the survey occurred before the annual hunger season, which means that people will be going into the hunger season in poor condition. It can be assumed that the nutritional status of the population will drop further as the hunger season progresses (MDM 06/02; Valid International/SC-UK 15/05/02).
North and South Kivu
The situation in the Kivus remains one of the most serious in DRC with an estimated 1,195,111 IDPs. Fighting has been reported to be raging between Rwandan army troops and dissident Banyamulenge forces in the Minembwe/Itmombwe plateau and reports indicate that upwards of 40,000 people have been newly displaced (UNOCHA 02/07/02). ACF-USA conducted a nutrition survey in Shabunda zone in February 2002 that revealed rates of acute malnutrition of above 20 %, including high levels of severe malnutrition. Much of the severe malnutrition was made up of oedematous nutrition or Kwashiokor, which is an extremely serious form of malnutrition. The survey also revealed very high mortality rates that were greatly above emergency thresholds. The data indicates an extremely serious situation and is probably replicated in other areas of the Kivusand the eastern region. The main reason for the very poor situation is the ongoing insecurity, which has served to isolate the area from external assistance as well as ensuring that the population is unable to access food sources and health care (ACF-USA02/02).
SC-UK and Valid International conducted a nutrition survey in the Kyondo Health Zone of North Kivu in May 2002. North Kivu is suffering from a chronic nutritional emergency as a result of pro-longed displacement, isolation, lack of market outlets, severed food lines, price increases and greatly reduced purchasing power (SC-UK/Valid International 05/02). Kyondo Health Zone has only become accessible to the humanitarian community since January 2002 and there were reports of high rates of acute malnutrition. The survey revealed an estimated prevalence of acute malnutrition of 3.3 % (W/Ht < -2 Z scores and/or oedema) including 2.5 % of severe malnutrition (W/Ht < -3 Z scores and/or oedema). It is important to note that the rate of nutritional oedema, although low, was very high relative to the wasting. This is a feature of the area. The survey also indicated an estimated crude mortality rate of 0.3/10,000/day and an under-five mortality rate of 0.7/10,000/day. Both the rate of malnutrition and mortality were significantly below emergency thresholds and came as a surprise to the survey team. The low rates are explained by the great improvement in the security situation in the area, which has enabled many people to return to farming activities. It was also noted that the markets in the area appeared to be lively with items from all over the zone as well as further afield from places such as Goma and Butembo. It was also noted that the zone was well served by medical services, largely as a result of a highly capable local health officer. This has led to a very progressive and well supplied health infrastructure and it was particularly noted that the rates of child vaccination were close to 100 % (SC-UK/Valid International 05/02). The zone is a great example that security provides the back-drop for reconstruction of livelihoods and that well targeted and implemented health systems are possible. The results of the survey clearly indicate that Kyondo is currently not undergoing anacute emergency and that there is hope in other areas that the catastrophic health indicators can be reversed.
Overall
The situation in DRC remains extremely poor, despite some apparent advances in peace negotiations. The years of conflict and insecurity continue to take their toll on the civilian population, who are increasingly struggling to cope with the desperately poor economic outlook and chronic food insecurity. There appears to be some hope of a cessation of violence in some areas of the country but the eastern parts remain desperately insecure and suffer some of the worst humanitarian outlooks. The enormous numbers of IDPs are extremely vulnerable (category I) and require continued assistance to meet the very basic of subsistence needs.
Recommendations
From the RNIS
· Negotiate access to affected populations through support of MONUC.From the ACF-USA survey in Shabunda, South Kivu, February 2002
· Establish a regular system of general food distribution.From the MDM-B survey in Tshofa Health Zone, June 2002
· Open selective feeding centres.
· Implement an anti measles vaccination campaign.
· Conduct training for health personnel.
· Establish selective feeding centres for children under the age of five.
· Conduct education on public health and sanitation.
· Conduct training for existing health staff in the health system.
Tanzania is host to the largest refugee population in Africa. Although the country has never been directly involved in the conflict that has affected many countries in the Great Lakes region, it has provided an important safe haven for refugees from neighbouring countries. There are currently estimated to be 512,004 refugees in a selection of camps in the Kigoma and Ngara regions of Western Tanzania. The majority of refugees in the camps are from Burundi, many of them Hutu, fleeing the ongoing violence in the country. UNHCR have estimated that as many as 353,000 Burundian refugees are currently resident in camps, with the remainder being from DRC, Rwanda and Somalia.
The sheer number of refugees has placed a great deal of pressure on the Tanzanian government and there have been increasingly greater calls for them to be repatriated. The presence of the refugees has also been a cause of contention between the Tanzanian and Burundian governments and the Burundian government has accused Tanzania of harbouring and even supporting rebels, a fact that the Tanzanians have stringently denied. In May 2002, the Tanzanian and Burundian governments signed a tripartite agreement with UNHCR to assist a voluntary repatriation of Burundian refugees. The timing of the agreement has been questioned given that insecurity is still such a problem in Burundi, however UNHCR is only assisting returns to the northern provinces in Burundi, which are substantially more secure than those in the south and east. However, the vast majority of those registering are in Karago, Nduta and Mtendeli camps in the Kigoma Region and wish to return to the southern provinces where they are originally from. UNHCR have estimated that from 31 June to 14 July 2002, over 17,200 Burundian refugees were repatriated and a further 87,100 people have registered for repatriation (WFP 19/07/02).
Given the ongoing violence in the Burundi, it is surprising that there have been such a high number of people registering for assisted return. Many factors have contributed to this, including the increasing restrictions placed on the refugees within the camps. There have been recent moves by the Tanzanian government to ban refugees from moving out of the camps and there has been a noticeable build up of police around the camp areas. This is making life extremely difficult for camp inhabitants who are increasingly unable to conduct any form of livelihood activities such as seeking work on neighbouring farms. This is serving to increase the dependency that people have on humanitarian assistance and offers no opportunity to supplement diets with alternative food sources. A problem of particular concern is that of sourcing fuel for cooking. Refugees have traditionally gathered wood from around the camp, which has denuded much of the surrounding area. As a result, people are forced to walk from 20-40 Km to find dead wood but if found out of the camp they can face imprisonment and deportation. There are reports that some refugees are selling their rations to local Tanzanians in exchange for fire wood (UNOCHA 08/05/02). This has prompted some refugees to conclude that it is better to leave under a voluntary assisted programme than wait until an increasingly hostile host country forcibly repatriates them. However, it is interesting to note that the numbers of people actually turning up for the repatriation convoys is dwindling despite the large numbers of people registered. The pressure to repatriate is growing, both from the Tanzanian and Burundian governments, and there has been some talk of repatriation taking place within six months (UNOCHA 08/07/02).
There has been no recent nutrition survey in the camps but the most recent data has shown that the situation is stable and well below emergency thresholds. This is probably a result of the regular food distribution, which includes a 100 % ration for all beneficiaries, although it is important to note that Corn Soya Blend (CSB), a fortified blended food, is only being distributed at a 60 % ration. The provision of health services to the refugees is also good with routine vaccinations and access to routine primary health care and good water and sanitation. This has gone a long way towards ensuring the stability of the situation.
Overall
The reporting period has seen a great many people registering for assisted voluntary repatriation, however the ongoing violence in Burundi is making it extremely difficult for many to return to their areas of origin. There is evidence of greater restrictions on the refugees in the camps, particularly in terms of forbidding them to move outside camp perimeters. This is serving to increase dependency on external assistance. The health and nutrition situation in the camps appears to be stable (category III).
Recommendations
From the RNIS
· Continue the full general food ration and increase the amount of fortified food available to refugees.
· Ensure that conditions are safe for repatriation in Burundi before further repatriation continues.
Uganda has suffered a series of separate civil conflicts in various parts of the country. These conflicts have resulted in large displacement of population, many of whom have been grouped together in "protected" villages. The displacement has left the IDPs without access to their homes or land and has systematically disrupted livelihoods and household economies. This has come on top of a situation where almost 44 % of the country’s 21 million people live in absolute poverty, classified as below 50 cents a day (UNICEF 29/05/02). The result has been a population with high vulnerability to acute food insecurity and a heavy reliance on external assistance to meet their basic subsistence needs. The worst affected areas have traditionally been the northern region where the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) has waged a persistent war on the civilian population and in the west, where the Allied Democratic Front (ADF) have been active.
The reporting period has seen an upsurge in LRA activity in the north of the country. The month of June 2002 has seen numerous attacks on IDPs, refugees and local populations that have resulted in the burning of displaced camps and further fresh waves of displacement as people choose to flee the violence. The upsurge in insecurity comes after an extended period of security that resulted in a marked improvement in the overall humanitarian situation and left many IDPs and agencies alike talking of the possibility of wide scale returns. As a result, the new wave of violence has come as a considerable blow to the area and looks set to significantly deteriorate the humanitarian situation. The Ugandan government has taken advantage of the reestablishment of full diplomatic ties with Sudan, which were severed in 1995, to mount a campaign called "Operation Iron Fist" in South Sudan, against LRA strongholds. Traditionally the Sudanese government has offered significant support to the LRA in answer to support given to Sudanese rebels, the SPLA. The agreement, signed on 27 April 2002, has seen a considerable thawing in relations between the two governments and has allowed for the implementation of the anti-LRA operation within Sudan (UNOCHA 03/05/02). It was initially hoped that the campaign would remove the threat of the LRA for good and allow the IDPs in the north to return home and restart their lives. However, the upsurge in insecurity from the LRA is being taken as evidence that the campaign is not having the desired effect and that the LRA are trying to send a clear message to the Ugandan government that political negotiations should take place.
Latest estimates on the number of people considered to be vulnerable and in need of humanitarian assistance indicate that there are 859,166. This number includes 187,683 refugees and 660,373 IDPs situated in the north, west and east of the country.
IDPs in Northern Uganda
After a period of relative stability in the northern area of the country, the reporting period has seen an upsurge in violent attacks by the LRA rebels. The attacks have been directed towards destabilising the area and sowing fear in the populations and have resulted in ambushes along roads as well as attacks on towns, villages and on refugee and displaced settlements. Many of these attacks have resulted in the abduction of people, the looting of food and other belongings and the burning of huts. On 5 July 2002 rebels attacked Alero IDP settlement and burnt the houses and instructed people to leave the camps. As a result, there was a large exodus of people who fled without food and basic domestic necessities. Many IDPs are trying to make their ways to towns that are perceived as being safer than the so-called "protected" villages (UNOCHA 06/02). The attacks and the renewed displacement is placing considerable strain on existing relief and development work in the area and many NGOs are reported to have halted their work due to the poor security situation. WFP has been having severe difficulties in continuing much needed food distributions to people in camps as a direct result of the current poor security situation in the north. The security problems have resulted in the suspension of food aid to tens of thousands of people, although it has been reported that distributions were able to start again as a result of the redeployment of the Ugandan army in the area. It is particularly worrying to note that most of the 500,000 people in the north who receive food aid had developed a high degree of independence and were supplying 70 % of their own food prior to the attacks. However, they no longer have access to their gardens and suddenly find themselves dependent on food aid to meet their food requirements. This will involve a considerable mobilisation of new resources to meet the increased needs (UNOCHA 16/07/02). As a result, the IDPs in areas such as Kitgum and Gulu, which number around 506,440, should be considered to be extremely vulnerable and require continued assistance, particularly as the traditional hunger season is approaching when availability and access to food usually decreases.
IDPs in Eastern Uganda
The Katakwi district in northeast Uganda has suffered from intense raiding by Karimojong warriors over the past five years. Raiding is a traditional feature of this area of Uganda but the proliferation of small arms has meant that the raids have grown bigger and more deadly and have not stopped at the stealing of cattle but often involve wide scale looting, the burning of property, and the destruction of crops. The effect of the raiding has been displacement as people have fled the devastation left in their villages. However, the humanitarian situation has been exacerbated by the destruction of food supplies and the inability of the displaced to access their land. This has led to wide spread dependency on external assistance and the development of large displacement camps, which often suffer from poor public health environments.
The raiding was particularly fierce in 2000 and resulted in the displacement of in excess of 85,000 people, which corresponded to approximately 30 % of the district’s population (FEWS 17/06/02). The reporting period has seen significant improvements in the situation for many of the IDPs and there are reports of fewer attacks and the beginning of returns. It is currently estimated that there are about 75,000 people in camps with up to 10 % having returned home already. District authorities also report that households are able to access their land and grow crops, which is having a beneficial effect on household food stocks and the general food security of the area. The Ugandan government committed itself to disarming the Karamojong, who have been behind the attacks, and have found the process to be more difficult than originally thought. The Karamojong are fiercely independent and have not welcomed the disarmament attempts. There have been reports of clashes between the Ugandan army and the Jie, who are one of the Karamojong ethnic groups in Moroto and Kotido. The disarmament has yielded about 9,800 firearms, which represents approximately a quarter of the 40,000 expected. However, it is believed that the focus on disarmament may have prevented further raiding into the Kitakwi region (UNOCHA 21/05/02).
The RNIS does not have any recent nutritional information from the group but the last report indicated that the prevalence of acute malnutrition was not elevated above emergency thresholds. However, it was noted that the general health conditions in the camps were extremely poor and contributing to an unacceptably high mortality rate. The camps are now reported to be much cleaner, with good disposal of waste and improved water and sanitation. There has also been a marked improvement in the delivery of health care largely as a result of work done by various agencies.
IDPs in Western Uganda
The western regions have continued to enjoy good security as the threat of the ADF appears to have been significantly lessened. The areas with most IDPs, namely Kasesse, Kabarole, Bundibugyo, Kyenjonjo and Kamwenge lie beneath the Rwenzori mountains, which provide a natural barrier between DRC and Uganda. However, the Rwenzoris have also provided a hiding place for ADF rebels who were waging a war ostensibly against the government but which were targeted at the local population. The attacks drove tens of thousands into "protected" villages and prevented people accessing their valuable agricultural land. As a result, the local economy collapsed and people were left with a very high degree of dependence on humanitarian assistance. The Ugandan army led a large-scale operation against the rebels in 2000 and since that time the security situation has improved markedly. As a result, many people have started to return to their homes or have made serious provision to do so. The latest estimation exercise indicated that there were about 87,000 IDPs in camps in Bundibugyo. However, it is reported that the number of people returning home has increased, markedly leaving about 47,000 IDPs actually living in camps (UNOCHA 06/02). The IDPs who remain in camps do so largely because of uncertainty over the security situation or because they are waiting for the right moment when the raw materials to rebuild houses will be available. There is also a group who have established lucrative livelihood activities in the camps and who are unlikely to leave, meaning that the camps will become rural trading centres (UNOCHA 06/02).
The improved security has also meant that IDPs are much more self-reliant and are meeting 80 % of their food needs themselves. The areas of the west are extremely fertile and it is possible to get three crops a year, including lucrative cash crops such as vanilla, coffee and cocoa. As a result, WFP stopped general food distributions in Bundibugyo on 5 July 2002. Instead, a three-month ration will be distributed to IDPs who return to their homes. The RNIS does not have any recent nutritional information from this group but it is not thought to be critical.
Refugees
There are currently estimated to be 187,683refugees in Uganda from Burundi, DRC and Rwanda, although the majority come from Sudan. The number of refugees has continued to increase largely as a result of fresh influxes from Sudan as a result of the ongoing war in the south. The increase in insecurity in the northern regions is having a profound affect on the refugee community and there have been repeated reports of attacks on refugee camps. On 8 July 2002, LRA rebels attacked Maaji refugee settlement in Adjumani district, resulting in the killing of a soldier and refugees and the burning of houses. UNHCR have reported that many of the 11,000 Sudanese refugees who were in the camp have fled and headed towards the town of Adjumani, carrying their belongings with them (UNHCR 10/07/02). The insecurity has prevented some humanitarian agencies from accessing vulnerable populations and it is expected that the humanitarian situation is likely to deteriorate if the insecurity persists. The RNIS does not have any recent nutritional information from this group but they are considered to be highly vulnerable
Overall
The re-emergence of insecurity in the north has dealt a considerable blow to the prospects of mass returns of IDPs. It has also resulted in decreased access to affected populations by the humanitarian community and has also prevented livelihood activities. As a result, the IDPs in the north are at considerable risk in a declining humanitarian situation (category II). The situation in the east and the west is greatly improved (category III) as a result of a generally good security situation, which has allowed many to begin to return home and restart livelihood activities, particularly in the western regions.
Recommendations
From the RNIS
· Provide support in the form of seeds and tools and food for IDPs seeking to return to their homes.· Ensure an adequate general ration to IDPs who are no longer able to access their normal food sources.
