UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Published purpose

At the end of 2007, there were 1.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the majority of which are concentrated in the eastern provinces. There was some significant improvement in 2007, including the return of 90% of the IDPs in Katanga province and 75% of the IDPs in Orientale province. However, renewed fighting in North Kivu province lead to the new displacement of some 437,000 Congolese in several waves. The periods of displacement are tending to last longer, and IDPs are typically the victims of widespread human rights abuses. In 2008, UNHCR operational activities aim to benefit some 400,000 people, mainly internally displaced persons, as well as members of the host communities. UNHCR focuses on: improving the protection of IDPs, particularly from sexual and gender-based violence; establish the basis for solutions through reconciliation and peaceful resolution of disputes; respond to new IDP crises; ensure that the return of IDPs is voluntary; and help address the environmental impacts associated with displacement. UNHCR participates in the UN Country Team cluster approach, and leads the protection cluster and co-leads the reintegration and community recovery cluster.