FAO/GIEWS - Foodcrops & Shortages 06/99 - CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF* (23 June)

CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF* (23 June)

The security situation remains tense in North and South Kivu provinces following bombing of Goma and Uvira on 11 May. People in Uvira region have been living in fear following devastation of entire villages. Despite peace negotiations, violence and attacks on villages have resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of refugees to Tanzania. Reports indicate that that some 240 000 families (1.2 million persons) have been affected by recent civil strife in North and South Kivu.

In Kasai Oriental, some 80 000 residents of Luambo town are reported to have fled into surrounding forests due to fighting. Less than 10 000 have returned home since the town was captured by rebels on 7 June, but food and medicines are in short supply. The total number of internally displaced people is estimated at 660 000, of which 220 000 in southern Kivu and 150 000 in Katanga. About 285 000 refugees from neighbouring countries are also present in DRC: 146 000 from Angola, 61 000 from Sudan, 32 000 from Republic of Congo, 25 000 from Rwanda and 20 000 from Burundi. In Kinshasa, the food supply situation remains difficult. A recent nutritional survey indicated that almost 10 percent of Kinshasa�s population suffered from acute malnutrition compared to 6.2 percent in 1998. As a result of increases in fuel prices, prices of basic food commodities have increased sharply. Insecurity and other economic problems limit transportation of goods to the capital.

In Bas-Congo, there are about 30 000 refugees who fled fighting between the government forces and the �Ninja� militia in the Pool region of the Republic of Congo.

Back to menu