Relief workers in eastern DR Congo face increased attacks, UN reports

Lake Kivu connects Goma and Bukavu, the capitals of North and South Kivu Provinces

15 September 2009 – The number of incidents against humanitarian workers operating in the volatile North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has surged by 26 per cent in the first six months this year, and the attacks are becoming increasingly violent, according to a United Nations report released today.

But whereas armed groups were responsible for the majority of criminal acts last year, bandits account for most of the security incidents in 2009, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said, adding that no one has yet been held accountable for any of the reported crimes.

“In the city of Goma (the provincial capital), a staggering 44 per cent increase has been reported since January 2009 compared with the same period in 2008,” it added. “The level of personal violence in the attacks also intensified, creating a disturbing environment among aid workers.”

North Kivu, in the east of the DRC, has been plagued by years of conflict between Government forces, rebels, and Hutu militias who fled over the border from Rwanda after the 1994 militant Hutu genocide of Tutsis and moderate Hutus in that country.

Over 80 per cent of all criminal activities in the Goma area occurred during evening and night time, while 91 per cent of security incidents in rural areas took place during daytime, OCHA noted.

The vast majority of the incidents have been described as criminal activities, but Congolese security forces have also been pointed out as the perpetrators in some criminal acts.

Men in uniform (armed groups) have been responsible for most criminal activities against aid workers in rural areas during daytime, while bandits have targeted homes of aid workers in urban areas during evening and nighttime.

This trend has been constant in both years. There is also a general assumption among aid partners that security forces have been behind large numbers of security incidents reported in urban areas.

Non-government organizations (NGOs) have been more affected than UN agencies largely because of their greater physical presence at the field level.