Massive Displacement In North Kivu Following Attack Near IDP Camps

Main Category: Aid / Disasters
Article Date: 14 Nov 2007 - 6:00 PDT

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An attack by unidentified troops in North Kivu has caused panic resulting in some 45,000 displaced persons fleeing towards Goma, nearly half of them children.

In response UNICEF and Save the Children have set up three centres to identify children separated from their families and to begin the process of family tracing. The centers are situated along the nine mile road between Mugunga and Goma.

In the last month, 574 cases of cholera were reported in the camps. UNICEF is concerned that without preventive action this displacement could spread cholera to Goma, a city of 570,000 people. To stop the spread of cholera, UNICEF is increasing the availability of chlorination to provide safe water, while local authorities are communicating hygiene messages.

UNICEF and partners are responding to needs related to education, nutrition, emergency shelter and essential household items.

About UNICEF DRC

UNICEF continues to respond to the North Kivu internal displacement emergency in the health, nutrition, education, child protection, sexual violence, emergency shelter and essential household items, and water, sanitation and hygiene sectors. The humanitarian relief programs of UNICEF and partners have reached over 400,000 people since the emergency began in December 2006.

About UNICEF

UNICEF is present in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

http://www.unicef.org

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