monuc.org: Humanitarian Section

"MONUC, in cooperation with the Joint Military Commission (JMC), shall facilitate humanitarian assistance and human rights monitoring, with particular attention to vulnerable groups including women, children and demobilized child soldiers, as MONUC deems within its capabilities and under acceptable security conditions, in close cooperation with other United Nations agencies, related organizations and non-governmental organizations."

MONUC's humanitarian mandate is exceedingly broad, and the resources to implement it are limited. In the absence of a clear budget line for the execution of MONUC's humanitarian mandate, the Humanitarian Affairs Section relies on creativity, flexibility and the mission's logistical assets as well as the resources it has and which humanitarian organizations do not. The aim to the Section is to assist, within the scope of its mandate, in saving lives and improving the living conditions of most vulnerable populations.

II. Main activities and key achievements

Despite the lack of a dedicated budget line to support humanitarian actions as well as the non-operational nature of its mandate, MONUC has undertaken a wide range of activities to assist the people of the DRC. Humanitarian Officers often carry out their task under difficult and precarious security conditions:

• Providing temporary shelter and protection to civilians threatened by armed conflicts,

• Conducting Joint assessments, often using MONUC logistics for follow-up delivery of assistance: over 300 missions in ;

• Negotiating access to vulnerable people, by putting pressure on the belligerents;

• Facilitating the transportation of NGO and UN agency staff undertaking critical humanitarian missions: about 7,500 people transported by MONUC in on humanitarian ground;

• Facilitating the movement of humanitarian cargo, including urgent medical supplies to inaccessible areas: 2,200 tons of humanitarian cargo by air and 300 tons by barge transported in ;

• Transporting urgent medical cases;

• Encouraging the placement of Military Observers in areas with extreme humanitarian needs;

• Sharing security information with NGO and UN partners to allow them to safely assist the populations;

• Identifying and coordinating Quick Impact Projects funded by MONUC: 61 projects in .

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IDPs, sheltered and protected by MONUC in Bukavu, during the June 2004 Military clash.

• Participating in special missions involving joint rescue operations, medical outreach, humanitarian barges and trains, protection of humanitarian workers and facilities.

The mounting requests from MONUC's partners reflect the significance of the mission's contribution to the delivery of humanitarian assistance in the DRC, which is among the world's countries most affected by humanitarian crisis. Through its Humanitarian Affairs Section, MONUC constantly engages with OCHA personnel who are tasked to coordinate humanitarian action, mobilize resources, advocate for victims, undertake humanitarian negotiations and lead joint assessment missions. In addition, Humanitarian Officers deployed throughout the country are also tasked to constantly exchange views with other humanitarian partners, including UN agencies on how to best address humanitarian issues and related crisis affecting the populations, through the creation of a mechanism for ongoing dialogue and information sharing.

MONUC's presence countrywide along with its logistical capabilities has enabled its Humanitarian Affairs Section to backstop and support UN agencies, including OCHA as well as NGOs, and has increased humanitarian access and assistance throughout the country.

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III. Staffing & Presence

MONUC has Humanitarian Affairs Officers deployed to several key areas across the country, such as Mbandaka, Goma, Bunia, Bukavu, Uvira, Kisangani, Kalemie, Beni, Kananga, Mbuji-Mayi, Kindu, Lubumbashi as well as in Kinshasa. The section will deploy Officers to other areas as required. A coordination team in Kinshasa headed by the Chief of Section provides guidance and support to the officers deployed to the field. Very capable international Administrative Assistants as well as national Humanitarian Assistants whose work often goes far beyond traditional terms of reference back up the Section.

IV. Key Challenges & Priority Areas

In Western DRC, humanitarian access has increased, particularly in Equator, and northern Katanga. In the east, in the Kivus, Maniema, Orientale provinces and Ituri districts, access is severely limited, conflict continues, and civilians bear the brunt of violence. Characteristic of fighting in the DRC is troops against civilians with all human rights and sexual abuses violations as a dramatic consequence. There are around 2.5 million IDPs in the DRC, mainly in the eastern parts of the country; among them, 500,000-600,000 IDPs in the Ituri district. Over 80% of families in rural areas of North and South Kivu have been displaced at least once in the past five years. 380 000 refugees are still registered in the DRC and approximately 40 000 Congolese took refuge in Burundi and Rwanda. Access to IDPs has been significantly impeded by insecurity, including by the laying of mines by armed groups. The return and the subsequent reintegration of IDPs and refugees remain the main challenge. In addition, 17 million of the population is food deficient; 1.3 million is affected by Aids, and more than 1 000 victims from mine accident have been registered since 1998.

The Section's main challenge is to respond quickly to humanitarian problems and emergencies under its facilitative role, and to ensure an appreciation for that role within MONUC.

V. Contact Person: For further information please contact:

Patrice Bogna, Information Focal Point
Humanitarian Affairs Section
Kinshasa - DRC
Tel.: / Ext. 6096

E-mail:

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