After the armed conflict worsened in December 2007, thousands of civilians found themselves caught in a stranglehold between the various warring parties and had to flee the combat zones. Despite a declared willingness to reach a truce and the prospect of a peace conference slated to take place in Goma in early January 2008, clashes continued into the last days of 2007.

• In North Kivu, fighting is now taking place across a large swathe of the Masisi and Rutshuru territories.

• For the first time since hostilities resumed in August 2007, clashes have also occurred near the border with South Kivu on the high plateaus of Kalehe.

People displaced by the fighting are particularly vulnerable. Many have had to flee for a second or even a third time together with the families that had taken them in. While seeking refuge they have often been the victims of pillage, violations of their physical well-being and sexual violence.

• In North Kivu, several thousand additional displaced people arriving from the Masisi territory found refuge in existing camps in the vicinity of Goma.

• Many others fled towards the north to seek refuge in Nyanzale, Kibirizi and Kanyabayonga. Because these cities are situated near combat zones, they are hard for humanitarian organizations to get to. An unknown number of displaced people in the Kilolirwe and Kitchanga areas are similarly difficult to reach.

• Over 5,000 civilians also crossed the border with Uganda to find refuge in that country.

• Over 2,000 families fleeing clashes around the city of Saké, in North Kivu, joined the displaced already present in the Kalehe territory of South Kivu. As the resident population was unable to take in all of the displaced, some of the new arrivals gathered in the city of Minova in South Kivu. To date, there is no organization providing shelter for these displaced people, some of whom have nothing at all and are facing major difficulty meeting their most basic needs.

• Because armed personnel have a significant presence in some parts of the Kalehe territory, especially in the high plateaus, the security of the displaced people there is a matter of concern.

• An increase in the number of wounded people, especially among weapons carriers, was observed in December 2007.

Raising awareness of the basic rules of international humanitarian law

The ICRC has maintained its bilateral contacts with all parties to the conflict in order to remind them of their obligations under international humanitarian law relating to the protection of persons not, or no longer, taking part in hostilities – i.e., civilians, those wounded in the fighting and those detained in connection with the conflict. Because of its neutrality and independence, the ICRC is one of the few humanitarian organizations with access to all weapons carriers. Despite extremely difficult security conditions, the ICRC has been able to continue to move about in dangerous areas and maintain dialogue.

These contacts complement the activities carried out by the ICRC to prevent excesses of war, such as organizing information sessions intended to raise awareness of international humanitarian law among the armed forces and broadcasting radio spots and programmes.

Protection and assistance for civilians

Several cases of abuse committed by weapons carriers against civilians (rape, pillage and forced recruitment) were recorded by ICRC delegates during the month of December 2007. This information serves as the basis for bilateral and confidential representations to parties to the conflict (the identity of the victims is withheld). The aim is to encourage the warring parties to take all such measures as are necessary to limit the conflict’s impact.

• Numerous cases of sexual violence continue to be reported. The ICRC maintained its support for hospitals and health-care centres, enabling them to offer health care to victims, and for 17 facilities offering psychological and social support services in both Kivus.

• In December 2007 the ICRC supplied basic medicines to several hospitals and health-care centres situated in areas where massive displacement was under way: Minova and Kirumba in South Kivu, and Goma, Kibirizi and Kanyabayonga in North Kivu.

• In December repair work was also carried out at the Bunyakiri hospital in the Kalehe territory of South Kivu.

• Also in Kalehe, in an operation carried out at the end of December in cooperation with the Red Cross Society of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, basic necessities such as clothing, blankets, sleeping mats, soap and kitchen items were distributed to more than 500 recently displaced families near the city of Minova and on the island of Kirumba.

In its efforts to help people adversely affected by the conflict, the ICRC takes into account the fact that massive displacement also makes resident populations vulnerable. Accordingly, two urban water-supply projects were approved in December 2007 which will be carried out in cooperation with the national water board and will benefit over 500,000 inhabitants of Goma and Bukavu.

During the month of December, 14 new fountains were also completed in Kitchanga, in the Rutshuru territory of North Kivu. The ICRC also finished building 38 latrines in Goma which were mainly intended for the families of military personnel living in the vicinity of the Katindo military hospital.

Medical treatment for people wounded in the fighting

In December 2007 the ICRC continued to provide support for the main medical facilities admitting people wounded in the fighting. The facilities included the Katindo military hospital in Goma and the Kitchanga referral health-care centre in the Rutshuru territory.

• Activities of ICRC medical staff
  Two surgeons, a physiotherapist and two medical delegates provided support for the medical staff of these facilities by performing up to 20 operations per day.
  
  
• Supplying medications
  Surgery kits and medications needed for the swift treatment of people wounded in the fighting were supplied. The Kayna general hospital in the Lubero territory of North Kivu also received a kit with supplies for treating up to 25 war-wounded people. In addition, the Minova general hospital was given supplies for treating up to 20 wounded people.
  
  
• Upgrading hospital facilities

1. The Katindo military hospital in Goma is being connected to the city’s water-supply system. In addition, an incinerator, a sterilization room and a septic tank are being built for the hospital.

2. At the Kitchanga hospital, despite difficult access, ICRC engineers finished building two blocks of latrines, six water fountains and a septic tank for the operating room.

Protection of people deprived of their freedom

During the month of December 2007 ICRC delegates visited and registered people arrested and detained in connection with the conflict in Goma and Kitchanga.