Working environment

The context

The Democratic Republic of the Congo hosts some 180,000 refugees, who live in both urban and rural areas. The highest concentrations are in the North and South Kivu, Bas Congo, Katanga, Bandundu and Kasai regions. The refugees come from neighbouring countries: Angola, Burundi, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Sudan. The presence of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in the Central African Republic has also forced civilians to seek refuge in the DRC. The forthcoming referendum to be held in Southern Sudan in 2011, could cause a further influx of asylum-seekers from this region.

Although no cases of statelessness have been registered, the risk of becoming stateless remains high for Congolese refugees in Rwanda and Burundi. A similar risk exists for Angolan refugees in the DRC who have been in the country for a long time.

Some positive developments have occurred on the political scene, and bilateral relations with neighbouring countries have improved significantly. However, the eastern provinces continue to suffer from recurrent violence as a result of the presence of various armed groups. In addition to the consequences of military operations conducted by the Government, there has been an increase in violations of the human rights of the civilian population by armed groups, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The LRA's attacks on the civilian population in Province Orientale have propelled major population movements, and displacements have also been observed in the provinces of Maniéma and Katanga.

In total, an estimated 2 million people have been displaced internally in the DRC by conflict. Of these, some 400,000 are assisted by UNHCR. The situation is characterized by chronic and rampant sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against women and girls, which remains one of the biggest challenges.

With the gradual planned departure of the UN stabilization mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), the Government faces monumental tasks, with consolidating peace and ensuring security as its main challenges. In the longer term, developing a democratic culture and installing conflict-resolution mechanisms will be crucial to addressing the country's problems.

The needs

The Government's humanitarian efforts to stabilize the country, in particular in the eastern and Equateur regions, will continue to need UNHCR's support.

IDPs will continue to need protection and shelter, calling for vigorous action against perpetrators of human right violations, and responding to sexual and gender-based violence. There is also a need to strengthen mechanisms to address land disputes in returnee areas.

Voluntary repatriation and local integration remain priority needs among refugees. In case these options are not viable, resettlement will be considered, based on protection needs.

2011 UNHCR planning figures for the Democratic Republic of the Congo
TYPE OF POPULATION	ORIGIN	JAN 2011		DEC 2011
		TOTAL IN COUNTRY	OF WHOM ASSISTED BY UNHCR	TOTAL IN COUNTRY	OF WHOM ASSISTED BY UNHCR
Total		2,303,970	588,300	2,244,770	1,050,900
Refugees	Angola	60,900	24,700	39,900	21,800
	Rwanda	65,500	15,200	48,500	17,100
	Burundi	14,600	3,600	9,500	5,400
	Various	2,200	1,200	1,200	1,100
Asylum-seekers	Burundi	20	0	20	0
	Rwanda	110	0	110	0
	Various	40	0	40	0
Returnees (refugees)	Dem. Rep. of the Congo	107,900	10,900	145,500	145,500
IDPs	Dem. Rep. of the Congo	2,000,000	480,000	1,500,000	360,000
Returnees (IDPs)	Dem. Rep. of the Congo	52,700	52,700	500,000	500,000

Main objectives and targets

Fair protection processes

Civil-status documentation is strengthened.

• Some 1,280 people of concern are provided with civil documentation.
• All newborn children are registered and provided with birth certificates.

Security from violence and exploitation

The prevention of, and the quality of the response to SGBV are improved.

• Some 39 training sessions are conducted for a total of some 17,000 people in order to strengthen efforts to prevent and respond to SGBV.

The impact of relevant programmes on host communities is enhanced.

• Community-sensitization campaigns reach some 112,200 people.

Basic needs and services

Shelter and infrastructure are improved.

• More than 55,000 people receive emergency shelters and more than 18,000 benefit from permanent shelters.
• More than 20,000 individual and family shelter supports are provided.

People of concern are provided with basic domestic and hygiene items.

• Some 31,300 people receive household goods.
• More than 18,300 women and adolescent girls receive sanitary materials.

Access to education is ensured.

• Some 86 per cent of school-age children are enrolled in primary education.

Community participation and self-management

Camp management and coordination is improved.

• The roles and responsibilities of camp management are defined and agreed.

Durable solutions

Voluntary returns to Rwanda and Burundi are promoted.

• Some 27,600 people receive return packages.

Logistics and operational support

Logistics and the supply chain are optimized to serve operational needs.

• Some 40,000 tons of goods are transported.
• More than 30,000 people are provided transport for repatriation; 50,000 people pass through transit facilities.

Programme coordination and support are improved.

• Audits of all sub-agreements are completed on time.

Strategy and activities in 2011

In 2011, UNHCR will aim to increase the authorities' capacity to conduct refugee status determination (RSD). It will also search for durable solutions through local integration and the regularization of status of all bona fide refugees living in the country.

Voluntary repatriation for certain groups of refugees will also be an important part of UNHCR's work in the DRC. The Office will resume the voluntary repatriation of Angolan refugees and assist Rwandan refugees wishing to return home. It will also provide protection and assistance to Burundian refugees and search for durable solutions for them.

With respect to the prevention of statelessness, UNHCR will advocate with the Government for ratification of the 1954 and 1961 Statelessness Conventions. The Office will also assess the risks of statelessness faced by refugees in the DRC.

UNHCR will aim to facilitate the return of Congolese IDPs and refugees to their areas of origin. Notably, it will assist Congolese refugees in Rwanda and the United Republic of Tanzania to return to the DRC in 2011. The Office will monitor the returns in order to maintain accurate registration data and ensure returnees' reintegration, particularly by mediating land-related disputes.

Ensuring the civilian nature of the IDP camps and preventing and responding to SGBV will remain priorities for the Office. Training will be at the core of UNHCR's strategy in this respect. The Office will continue to profile IDPs and will provide temporary shelter to vulnerable IDPs and host families, especially in Haut Uélé.

Constraints

As conflict continues in Province Orientale and North Kivu, people of concern to UNHCR are subjected to abuse, including SGBV, by armed groups. Some areas where interventions are necessary remain inaccessible, while some return areas have only a small presence of UN agencies and development actors. The Government's authority remains tenuous in the remote areas where the majority of returnees live.

The lack of basic social infrastructure has had a negative impact on the voluntary return process. Meanwhile, refugees from Rwanda and Burundi are subject to frequent harassment, due to the perception that rebel forces engaged in the armed conflict are backed by these two countries.

Organization and implementation

Coordination

Partnerships with other UN agencies have become significant in the DRC. In this regard, the cluster approach, joint programming and joint resource mobilization are strengthening the coordination under the supervision of the Humanitarian Coordinator.

UNHCR will continue its close collaboration with WFP, FAO, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO and MONUSCO. It will also participate in the UN Country Team, the Integrated Mission and the Humanitarian Action Plan.

Despite its limited financial resources, the Government supports UNHCR's efforts on behalf of people of concern through the Commission Nationale pour les Réfugiés (CNR).

Financial information

The gaps identified during the comprehensive needs assessment were mainly related to addressing basic needs, particularly shelter and other essential services. These needs have been mainstreamed in the budget for 2011, which amounts to USD 142.6 million. In addition, UNHCR plans to increase self-reliance programmes for both refugees and IDPs and expand activities to facilitate and support repatriation and reintegration.

Source: UNHCR Global Appeal 2011 Update