Executive summary

At the end of 2005 militia attacks and government military operations caused large population displacement in the province of Katanga in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Among them, 16 000 people are temporarily residing in three camps in Dubie, a town in Katanga Province.

MSF has been working in Katanga since 1988, supporting hospitals, fixed and mobile clinics in many locations, including Dubie since 1996.

Due to decreasing food security in Dubie, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) conducted a nutrition and mortality survey among 563 households. In order to explore the issues from the perspective of the population further, the survey was complemented with 15 household interviews. Data from the World Food Programme (WFP) food distributions was also reviewed.

MSF first reported on the situation in Katanga in December 2005, going as far as briefing the UN Security Council. Since then, little has changed on the ground. WFP, the United Nations and donors have neglected both Dubie’s displaced and host populations for too long. Immediate assistance is critical.