Preliminary Appeal

Democratic Republic of Congo

Eastern DRC Conflict & Displacement - COD101

Appeal Target: US$ 2,026,824

Geneva, 2nd February 2010

The humanitarian situation in Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) remains critical, characterized by internal displacement, returnees, human rights abuses and food insecurity. According to UN OCHA's 2010 humanitarian plan, more than 1.8 million people are still displaced in DRC, the majority of whom are in Northern Kivu, South Kivu and Oriental Provinces where ACT Alliance members will continue to respond. Human rights abuses are common and target especially women and children. According to UN OCHA 2010, one woman in South Kivu province is raped every two hours. Other common abuses include extortion, kidnapping, looting, recruitment of children by armed groups and anti-personnel mine explosions.

Displacement has had a serious effect on the food production capacity of the population as they leave their farms and agricultural tools to flee conflict. Returnees, on the other hand, face challenges in their re-integration to the community including lack of agricultural inputs, inadequate agricultural skills, lack of transportation and acceptance into society. They also put pressure on the available basic facilities like water, sanitation, and schools increasing the risk of diseases associated with hygiene and sanitation problems. According to the Musienene, Mukongo, Buyinga and Mabambi health posts, 50% of patients seeking medical help are suffering water-borne diseases. Households use various coping mechanisms, some of them harmful, resulting to malnutrition amongst children in the community.

Trauma is common in the community and especially for survivors of rape, sexual violence and other gender-based violence. (Majority of whom are women and girls).

Requesting ACT forum members within the appeal are: Norwegian Church Aid, Bureau Oecuménique d'Appui au Développement (BOAD), Evangelical Lutheran Church in Congo (EELC) and Lutheran World Federation. DanChurchAid and Christian Aid in DRC are planning to get involved in the emergency response. The members have been involved in emergency response since 1997. The last appeal, AFDC81, involved provision of safe water, NFI distribution, sanitation and hygiene promotion (WASH) as well as psychosocial activities in Goma Town, Kalehe, Masisi, Rutshuru and Nyiragongo areas. Other activities in camps and host communities are still ongoing, and need further support especially due to the continued displacement related to conflict. Psychosocial support for survivors of human rights violations, especially rape, is identified as a critical part of future response.

This response will target more than 10,000 households of displaced people, returnees and malnourished children. In coordination with international agencies and local authorities the ACT response will provide non food items, agricultural support (seeds, tools, livestock), psychosocial support, school rehabilitation, access to clean potable water and shelter (support to rebuild burnt houses). The target areas include: Goma town, Rutshuru, Masisi, Walikale, Lubero, Kalehe, Beni, Mwenga and Haut Uélé locations.

This preliminary appeal provides an indication of the full appeal which is being developed and will be ready in the next two weeks.

Project Completion Date: 31st January 2011

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FOR THE FULL APPEAL DOCUMENT (PDF FILE), KINDLY VISIT THE ACT SITE. THANK YOU. ______________________________________________________________________________

Please kindly send your contributions to either of the following ACT bank accounts:

US dollar

Account Number - 240-432629.60A

IBAN No: CH46 0024 0240 4326 2960A

Euro

Euro Bank Account Number - 240-432629.50Z

IBAN No: CH84 0024 0240 4326 2950Z

Account Name: ACT - Action by Churches Together

UBS AG

8, rue du Rhône

P.O. Box 2600

1211 Geneva 4, SWITZERLAND

Swift address: UBSWCHZH80A

Please also inform the Finance Officer Jessie Kgoroeadira (jkg@actalliance.org) and the Programme Officer, Katherine Ireri (kir@actalliance.org), of all pledges/contributions and transfers, including funds sent direct to the implementers.

We would appreciate being informed of any intent to submit applications for EU, USAID and/or other back donor funding and the subsequent results. We thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.

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