Democratic Republic of the Congo - IOM is appealing to the international community for USD 5.3 million to provide urgent humanitarian aid over the next three months to an estimated 120,000 to 140,000 displaced people (IDPs) in the Orientale, North and South Kivu Provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Thousands of civilians are reportedly fleeing existing IDP camps near Goma, North Kivu, including 60,000 from Kanyaruchinya camp and another 30,000 from Mugunga camp, located a few kilometers to the west of Goma town. Others have fled the town of Sake, ahead of the advance by M23 rebels, who over-ran Goma on Tuesday (20/11).

According to IOM staff in Goma, the capital of the mineral-rich North Kivu province, the security and humanitarian situation has deteriorated alarmingly since the rebels took over the city, prompting major population displacements and triggering an urgent need for humanitarian aid, including food, health, shelter and other basic services.

IOM is currently working with UNOCHA and other agencies to assess immediate humanitarian needs. It will use the new funds to track, register and profile IDPs, including those in spontaneous sites and major gathering points such as the Catholic Don Bosco Centre, where there are reportedly over 2,500  families. Many others are staying in the community with host families, who are also in need of support.

The data will provide the humanitarian community with an accurate needs assessment that will allow agencies to deliver the right aid to those most in need. The funds will also be used to provide urgently needed water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services to displaced families at a time when there is already evidence of cholera in Goma.

They will also pay for essential non-food relief items including hygiene kits, jerry cans, cooking sets, plastic sheeting and mosquito nets. IOM is also drawing up plans to provide transport to move vulnerable people to safer areas and to initiate psychosocial support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

IOM has been working in the DRC since 1994. Its ongoing projects in Eastern DRC include community-based economic recovery, support to victims of SGBV, support for demobilized former combatants, cash for work schemes, and reconstruction and rehabilitation of health centres, schools and roads.

For more information, please contact

Donor Relations Division
IOM Geneva
Tel: + 41 22 717 92 71
Email: drd@iom.int