• The most recent fighting in eastern DRC began in October 2008, which resulted in the current humanitarian crisis.
• In January 2009, two major rebel groups (CNDP and PARECO) announced that they have decided to lay down their arms and cease violent conflict. This development was shortly followed by Rwandan military forces entering the DRC to begin a joint military campaign with the Congolese armed forces to disarm another prominent rebel group, the FDLR.
• A prominent CNDP rebel leader, General Laurent Nkunda, has also been arrested in Rwanda.
• The recent incursion of the Rwandan military to work together with the government army to engage and forcibly disarm the FDLR could actually increase the amount of violence, displacement and suffering just at a time when the suspension of hostilities was promising to allow returns and greater humanitarian access.
• The situation on the ground is yet to change significantly. It is still too early to say if these announcements will turn into a sustained peaceful reality on the ground. If the peace among these groups does hold, we may see displaced populations starting to return home.
• UN peacekeeping force MONUC (Mission des Nations Unies en République Démocratique du Congo) in eastern DRC is the largest UN peacekeeping force in the world.

FACTS:

• The human toll of the fighting — often called Africa’s “First World War” — has been catastrophic, with more than five million dead since 1998. (UNICEF)
• Around 1,200 people die each day as a direct or indirect result of the conflict — more than half of them children. (BBC News)
• Many have suffered horrific abuse, including rape and sexual slavery by armed groups, which has contributed to the advance of HIV and AIDS. (BBC News)
• Since late August, more than 250,000 people have fled conflict, bringing the total number of displaced in eastern DRC to more than one million. More than 60 per cent of the newly displaced are children. (UNICEF)

WORLD VISION RESPONSE

• Non-food items including blankets, cooking supplies and jerry cans have been provided, benefiting more than 50,000 people.
• Water and sanitation assistance is providing clean water and sanitation for more than 40,000 people.
• Medication valued at $142,000 is being distributed to four hospitals in Goma. It will treat malaria, diarrhea and respiratory infections.
• Six child-friendly spaces have been established, and are expected to benefit some 6,000 children.
• Distribution of clothes and shoes to 9,387 children in five IDP camps.
• Trained 40 military staff and local authorities in International Humanitarian Law and local law.
• Emergency school tents and supplies provided to separated and abandoned children centre in Goma, giving classroom space to the 3,000 children.
• Food distributed to Shasha IDP camp benefitted 1,000 families. (900 displaced and 100 host families)
• World Vision supports 73,714 children, including 21,625 children sponsored by Canadians. We do not have sponsorship programs in eastern DRC where the fighting is happening.
• World Vision started working in the DRC in 1988 and opened an office in eastern DRC in 1993.