The UN says escalating violence in South Kivu, in eastern DR Congo, has forced more than 320,000 people from their homes in the past week, particularly in the territories of Kabare and Kalehe. The UN attributes that figure to local sources and does not say it has verified it. It was reported at the UN noon briefing on Wednesday 11 November. This post is for movement planners and for teams supporting NGO, mining or UN work in eastern DRC.
What the UN says
The UN said fighting continued on 11 November in parts of Kalehe territory, raising fears that more families could be forced to flee. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says many families have already been displaced more than once as front lines shift. Some are sheltering in schools and other public buildings, and others have fled to forests, where the UN says conditions are hard during the rainy season.
Aid access
The UN says insecurity is preventing humanitarian organisations from reaching people in need. The UN and its partners are preparing rapid needs assessments and say they stand ready to deliver assistance as soon as security conditions allow. Initial reports point to urgent needs for shelter, food, healthcare, clean water, sanitation and protection. The UN called on all parties to protect civilians, respect international humanitarian law and allow safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access.
What stays the same
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice for DR Congo is unchanged since 8 October, when it was last updated with Ebola guidance. The FCDO advises against all travel to South Kivu, as well as North Kivu, Ituri, Haut-Uélé, Maniema, Tanganyika and Haut-Lomami. It says anyone in North or South Kivu who judges it safe to leave, and has a route available, should do so. Its standing advice also says Goma and Bukavu and the surrounding areas have been captured, that routes out of Uvira, Goma and Bukavu are limited and may change at short notice, and that Goma and Bukavu airports have been attacked and commercial flights are no longer operating from them.
What the UN does not say
The briefing does not say who is fighting in Kabare and Kalehe, where the front lines are, or how the local sources reached the figure of more than 320,000. It gives no casualty figure. We do not attribute this fighting to any party.
What it means for movement planners and support teams
This is The Ops Con's reading, not the UN's or the FCDO's.
A displacement figure of this size, reported by local sources over a single week, points to large numbers of people on the move in Kabare and Kalehe while aid organisations cannot reach them. For any team with staff, partners or suppliers in South Kivu, re-check movement plans against current local reporting before each move, agree fallback routes and communications in advance, and allow for roads and public buildings being used by displaced families. With the FCDO saying routes out are limited and commercial flights from Goma and Bukavu are not operating, exit options should not be assumed. Watch the UN's humanitarian updates for the needs assessments and for any change in access. The FCDO advises against all travel to South Kivu, so confirm that insurance holds for anyone still there.
