Geneva, Tuesday, 08 January 2013

 

This appeal replaces the preliminary appeal
issued on 11^th December 2012.

 

Renewed fighting in DRC caused a population movement of more than one
million people in North and South Kivu. 
In North Kivu alone, more than 950,000 people
continue to be displaced.  An estimated number of 460,000 people are also
returning to their original places voluntarily.

 

The M23^[1] rebels fighting the government closed in on
Goma town on Monday 19th November 2012 and took over the town at mid-day 20^th
November 2012 putting to risk the population of Goma town (about 700,000
people) and the people in the surrounding areas. 

 

On December 1, 2012, the M23 withdrew from Goma city to position
themselves 20 km
away, at Kibumba and Rutshuru waiting for negotiations with the government. The
DRC government accuses the two neighbours, Rwanda
and Uganda,
of supporting the rebel activities inside DRC. So far, negotiations between the
DRC government and the M23 have not resulted in any agreement on how to
overcome the differences. The M23 have threatened they would re-occupy Goma if
their points are not addressed.

 

The situation remains critical in Goma city and in the North
Kivu territories of Rutshuru, Masisi and Walikale where other
armed groups are active. These areas remain very insecure.

 

ACT members are undertaking a coordinated response to over 68 000 direct
single beneficiaries at an estimated cost of US2,187,145 through
short-term food assistance, food security and livelihoods support, child
nutrition, psychosocial support to survivors of SGBV and war-related abuses,
provision of essential non-food items and emergency school support. It is
expected that the people assisted will recover and resume their normal
livelihoods.

 

Members of the ACT DRC Forum include: NCA, DKH, FCA, LWF, DCA, ICCO
& Kerk in Actie, Christian Aid, ECC, COPROMOR, EELCo, BOAD, and DIAKONIA.

 

The requesting members in this appeal are Christian Aid, Finn Church
Aid, BOAD and Lutheran World Federation-DWS. Other members responding in North
and South Kivu through local partners outside
this appeal are ICCO & Kerk in Actie, NCA, and DKH.