Urgent Relief Aid to New arrival IDPs in Goma/DRC

The lasting solutions to the situation of IDPs requires three interventions: Peace Activities, Economic Empowerment and Relief Aid

Let us remind you that this is not the first time Goma if facing such humanitarian crisis due to wars in North Kivu, so beyond relief aid we need peace: You can view our report here " https://www.cojeskinordkivu.org/report-of-the-humanitarian-aid-to-aidps-in-bulengo-around-goma-north-kivu/

Peace in North Kivu

We should solve the problem of refugees mainly Congolese refugees living in Rwanda and at the same time Rwandan refugees living in DRC. On this point we have already submitted a New Refugee Law to the Parliament and we hope that it may be tabled this year. Then Empowering the state to be able to provide security in North Kivu, many parts lack the presence of the state and therefore are used by armed groups, more advocacy work is done tother with other actors of the Civil Society and local leaders. We have also lauched the Citizens Coalition on Electoral Democracy in order to play a role in elections. More can be found in our website, and lastly we are working on initiatives bringing together civil societies in the great lakes region together for peace.

Economic Empowerment

We have been at the front line to mobilize and advicate about the necessity to include income generatig activities and skill development in the package of humanitarian repsonse, we are so glad that various initiatives are being implemented now by humanitarian orgabizations focusing on economic activities among IDPs around Goma. We have engaged more with OCHA and we managed to agree on some points about the current situation and the needed interventions. We also developed a very nice and unique Economic Model which we are implementing for refugees, and once we get the funds we shall extend it to IDPs also here in Goma, or even in their villages when they are back.

Advocacy meeting during with OCHA in Goma to include Economic Activities during a round-table discussions: https://www.cojeskinordkivu.org/round-table-discussions-organized-by-ocha-with-the-civil-society-on-the-current-humanitarian-activities-in-north-kivu/

Relief Aid

Generally the last relief aid we gave out was in August as we hosted a Choir from Bukavu in South Kivu, among our activities to mobilize others to come and help IDPs. We continue with the mobilization of different groups in DRC. For more information about our activities in August, please open this link: https://www.cojeskinordkivu.org/advocacy-activities-towards-a-holistic-humanitarian-response-in-goma-drcongo-and-the-involvement-of-all/

Brief report on our humanitarian response towards Internally Displaced Persons around Goma, North Kivu, the Democratic Republic of Congo

This programme started after our various field work where we observed the following:

1.  To provide relief aid to Internally Displaced Persons in different camps around Goma,
2. To mobilize people at local, national, regional and international level about the current humanitarian crisis in North Kivu,
3. To provide people with accurate information about the situation of IDPs and advocate for solutions (immediate, inter-immediate and long-term)

Achievements

While all people in IDP Camps need relief aid we have managed to identified the most vulnerable categories of people who include: Unaccompanied minors, children head of households, the elderly people, and women victims of sexual violence, single women, and people with disability, indigenous communities and Albinos.

We have all the necessary contacts with all these targeted people in camps,

We have distributed relief to 386 household in Bulengo IDP Camp this in partnership with YAGIRWA Foundation and other local groups,

We have also held two media conferences on the situation of IDPs,

And lastly we have written 124 letters to local authorities, companies and international organizations over the situation of IDPs,

Security in IDP Camps

Some camps are facing security concerns characterized by attacking people, taking their property by forced, and house break-into at night and regular gunshot. On top of that M23 rebels targeted the position of the Army and launched bombs in IDPs Camps.

We joined efforts with other actors involved in advocacy and currently there is a progress but more work is still needed,

Media campaign

In order to make the situation of IDPs known we have been active on our social media with posts on what is happening in IDP Camps,

Leisure Activities

We organized a Religious Concert which brought together St Joseph Choir which is composed of IDPs, Musicians from IDP Communities, and Armee du Ciel Choir from Goma which animated a great event in which helped people at least to smile and socialize among, people in stress were given opportunity to dance, and for the first time they were kept busy the whole in various activities.

Promotion of the Talent for IDPs

We have gathered various talent of young people who are displaced in Goma and we are working towards the promotion of their talents.

Challenge

Our major challenge as per now is only the lack of necessary funds in order to address the situation and create a big impact,