Funding shortfalls hamper aid to Ituri refugees, says Red Cross

Funding shortfalls in support of some 15,000 refugees from Ituri District of northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) residing in Nebbi District of northwestern Uganda have impacted negatively on efforts to provide adequate aid, the International Federation of the Red Cross reported on Monday. It said its local office was "not yet adequately equipped or trained to effectively fulfil its role as a strategic branch in relation to population movement resulting from the fragile political situation in DRC", and announced that it was launching an urgent appeal for aid to be provided to the Uganda Red Cross. Nevertheless, the Federation said that there had been a number of important achievements. The distribution of non-food items to affected families had led to an improved standard of living of refugees, while cases of disease infections resulting from colds had been minimised. Furthermore, the Federation said, target beneficiaries and the local population now had access to safe water, with sanitary facilities providing beneficiaries with "maximum hygiene standards". Moreover, hygiene education had led to reduced outbreaks of waterborne and other infectious diseases. However, the Federation said that identification of the most vulnerable families remained difficult, as the situation kept fluctuating. Also, fears of a forced repatriation had prevented some refugees from obtaining needed aid. [For the complete report, go to www.ifrc.org ]