ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross

Published purpose

March 2014 – Internal conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan and the Central African Republic (CAR) continues to destabilize the region, causing significant population movements and widespread humanitarian needs. Since the beginning of December 2013, more than 47,000 people from CAR have fled to neighbouring countries, bringing the total of CAR refugees in the region to 280,654. At the same time, since mid-December, the conflict in South Sudan has caused over 60,000 South Sudanese to become refugees in Uganda. Years of protracted conflict in the DRC have also produced 450,000 Congolese refugees in the region. With the support of DFATD and other donors, ICRC is providing protection support and life-saving assistance to people affected by armed conflict in the region. Activities include: (1) rehabilitating water networks and wells and providing safe drinking water and sanitation services for up to 840,500 people; (2) providing agricultural or livelihoods supplies and technical expertise to up to 150,000 vulnerable people; (3) distributing essential household items to up to 145,000 conflict-affected people; (4) providing medicines, medical supplies, and support to staff in 12 health centres and 5 hospitals; (5) supporting 40 counselling centres and 2 hospitals to provide psychosocial assistance to survivors of sexual violence; (6) providing support to national Red Cross societies to trace and restore family linkages between people who have been separated due to conflict or disaster; (7) improving living conditions for 36,700 people detained by armed forces and police, particularly women and children; and, (8) raising awareness of humanitarian principles and international human rights law.