FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3, December 1998 -

CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF

CURRENT SITUATION

Civil strife continues since the beginning of August, mainly in the east. Planting for season A is now underway in Kivu but insecurity is hindering farming activities. Severe shortages of food and medicines are reported. Cholera remains a major concern, especially in the Shabunda area in South Kivu. Moreover, many farming households were unable to take full advantage of the favourable weather conditions during the last season B largely due to lack of inputs. Considerable population movements have been reported, both within DRC and to neighbouring countries. Local authorities in Goma have appealed for assistance for 31 750 people, most of whom have lost their homes in the conflict areas. More than 11 000 Burundian refugees hosted by the local population in South Kivu, mainly in the Uvira region, are also in poor health with high malnutrition rates. The situation is particularly worrisome in Kindu, in Maniema Province, as all ground links have been cut.

The food supply situation is also deteriorating in Lubumbashi, where flooding in the province last year destroyed up to 70 percent of crops and basic foodstuffs are costly and becoming increasingly scarce in the markets. In addition, Lubumbashi is host to displaced people who came from Kalemie, Nyunzu and Nyemba areas in mid-October. Between 20 000 and 40 000 displaced people are also reported around Kabalo, Nyunzu, Nyemba, Manono and Ankoro. In the Orientale Province, there are tens of thousands of vulnerable people in Kisangani where there is a scarcity of consumer goods on local markets, as the town has not been supplied since mid-August.