March 2014 – Conflict and insecurity in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which intensified in late 2012 and early 2013, has continued in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, and expanded in Orientale, Maniema, and Katanga provinces. The ongoing violence has resulted in large-scale new displacement, significant protection needs, and the destruction of assets, livelihoods and basic infrastructure. More than 2.8 million Congolese are currently displaced, and 450,000 others are living as refugees in neighbouring countries. Overall, an estimated 6.3 million people in the DRC require humanitarian assistance this year, an increase of nearly 1 million from last year. With DFATD’s support, World Vision Canada is providing emergency nutrition, water and sanitation to those affected by conflict in Mitwaba territory, Katanga Province. Activities include: (1) providing supplementary or therapeutic feeding and basic medical care to 4,000 children under 5 years of age and 1,550 pregnant or lactating women with moderate to severe acute malnutrition; (2) educating 56,000 vulnerable people on health and hygiene and providing them with soap and insecticide-treated nets; (3) establishing 16 new safe water points, benefitting 56,000 people; (4) constructing 2,000 new household latrines; and (8) educating 56,000 vulnerable people on appropriate sanitation and water usage practices and providing them with purification tablets and water filters.
