The year 2003 saw some improvements in the political situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). A peace agreement was signed by the four main political parties followed by the formation of a Transitional National Union Government. President Kabila who was sworn in April, 2003 is supported by four prime ministers from the four parties. Local and parliamentary elections are planned for 2005.

However, despite the political progress made in the country, the eastern part of the country and especially the provinces of North and South Kivu, Maniema and Oriental remain highly insecure mainly due to inter-ethnic clashes, fighting between various militia groups and general banditry terrorising the people of these areas. In May 2003 for example, the fighting in Ituri region resulted in over 400,000 people being displaced in Beni and its surrounding areas. A recent assessment early this year by the LWF in Bunia found over 53, 000 internally displaced people. Although the majority of these were receiving relief assistance from the humanitarian organisations working in the area, tens of thousands of others lived in desperate situations devoid of basic relief assistance. There are also reports of gross human rights violations with people being kidnapped, killed, tortured and maimed. Large numbers of women are being raped without an option of seeking medical attention due to lack of health facilities. A recent OCHA report stated that the eastern area of the DRC probably held the highest proportion of sexually violated women in the world.

The LWF, working in collaboration with ECC member churches will continue their relief and rehabilitation assistance to the war affected people in North Kivu and Oriental provinces. In the North Kivu (Goma) assistance will also continue to the 2002 victims of the Goma volcano which will mainly comprise the rehabilitation of schools for over 2,100 pupils. Other activities will include; distribution of agricultural seeds and tools, nutritional programs for under five children, emergency preparedness programs including some stockpiling of essential materials like plastic sheeting and blankets, capacity building on peace and reconciliation for member churches of ECC, trauma counselling and HIV/AIDS sensitisation.

Project Completion Date:

31 March 2005.

Signed by:
Thor-Arne Prois, ACT Director

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