Section: Population Figures and Profile

Sub-section: Global Figures

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Total estimate of IDPs drop to 1.1 million in November, compared to 1.48 million in August (end 2006)

OCHA, 31 August 2006:
“Levels of new displacements decreased across the country in August [2006], mainly due to the reduction in military activity against armed groups in the east. It is hoped that this trend will continue into September. Updated IDP figures submitted by the humanitarian Inter Agency Standing Committees across DRC now stand at 1.48 million – as against 1.6 million in April 2006. Returnees in Katanga (see below) and in the Territory of Djugu, in Ituri, make up the bulk of this decrease.

The main IDP caseload remains concentrated in Ituri, North and South Kivu. Over 35% of total the IDPs are located in the Territories of Lubero and Beni in central and northern North Kivu."

OCHA, 30 November 2006, pp.10-11:
"According to the latest estimates, 1.1 million people are still displaced, mainly in the east of the country. This figure represents a reduction of 33% when compared with 2005. Half of the remaining displaced persons are located in North Kivu.

New Displacements
At the beginning of 2006, armed confrontations as well as other types of violence resulted in the
displacement of some 500,000 persons, mostly women and children. This significant increase of population movement in the humanitarian triangle (Ituri, Katanga and the Kivus) was due to MONUC-backed FARDC operations against militias, interethnic conflict and the combined exactions of armed groups and government forces. Resident populations were also affected, given that 90% of IDPs live with host families forced to share everything despite their already precarious situation.

Concerning the return of IDPs, the surrender of certain warlords – notably in Katanga – and the
adherence of their troops to the processes of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration
(DDR) and “brassage” have offered a unique opportunity to encourage displaced populations to
return to their places of origin. The disarmament and demobilisation of Mayi Mayi troops has thus led
to the return of roughly 100,000 people who had been displaced within Katanga. It is hoped that
current negotiations between the government and other militia leaders, notably in Ituri, and the
compliance of their troops with the brassage process will also contribute to the reestablishment of
security and encourage IDPs to return. Between April and September 2006 some 490,000 people
left areas of displacement and went back to their villages of origin in Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and
Katanga. These returnees nonetheless suffer from a lack of adequate infrastructure and means of
agricultural production. They have also been forced to endure the presence of armed groups (militias
and FARDC) that has limited their movement and prevented them from returning to normal life."


Source: UNHCR, 13 February 2007
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