World Vision to assist IDPs in Katanga

World Vision emergency kits containing essential supplies such as blankets, soap, collapsible jerry cans, cooking utensils and plastic sheeting will be distributed over the next six months to 20,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) around Kamina and Malemba-N’kuluin in government-controlled areas of Katanga province in southeastern DRC, World Vision announced Tuesday.

Of the estimated 180,000 IDPs (62 percent of them children) in government-held regions of Katanga province, those in Kamina are thus far not supported by international NGOs. According to World Vision, the IDPs who have fled from rebel-held areas say they are seeking food and protection and fear reprisals from retreating Rwandan and allied Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie (RCD-Goma) rebel troops. Following the distribution of essential supplies, World Vision plans to assist the IDPs to establish greater food security through fishing and agriculture, and to provide income for labor to repair schools, roads and health offices in the IDPs’ host communities.