After two years of supporting displaced populations in Bwegera, South Kivu, we embarked upon a new emergency programme in Lemera at the end of 2023. This is a new town where our arrival was warmly welcomed by the population. Almost six months after starting our activities there, we checked in with Richard Maisha Barhabula, our humanitarian programmes manager based in Bukavu.
Supporting displaced populations: our mission in South Kivu
Since April 2021, the village of Bwegera in South Kivu has been hosting displaced families from the highlands and uplands of Uvira territory. The inter-ethnic conflicts there are so violent that many residents have been forced to flee their homes, leaving everything behind. Since October 2021, we have been intervening on the ground to offer assistance to the displaced population and their hosts.
Flooding in South Kivu: our campaign to bring relief to the victims
In the night of 4 to 5 May 2023, an unprecedented flood ravaged Kalehe Territory in South Kivu, claiming more than 400 victims and destroying thousands of people’s homes. Thanks to our generous donors, we have been able to provide food aid to almost 300 people. A look back at that terrible night through the stories of three people caught up in the disaster.
Mauritanian smallholder farmers absorb the biggest climate shocks
Many smallholder farmers in Mauritania are being hit very hard by the changing climate. To help them face climate shocks with resilience, we distribute food and cash, strengthen their animal health care skills and help them fight soil erosion.
Food distribution: a crucial boost for displaced families in Niger
Between July and September 2022, our team in Niger organised three food distributions in the south-west of the country. More than 7,500 displaced people and their host families from agropastoral communities received food aid. Djibo Mazou Boubacar, who headed the operation, answered our questions a few months later, following a satisfaction survey.
Hidden dimensions of the conflict in Karamoja
Pastoralists in Karamoja, Uganda, are suffering from conflicts. Several victims testify on how they are forced to search for ways to survive. From peace forums to micro-credit, Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Belgium guides them in their search for hope.
“Pastoralism is the best way for people to meet their needs in Karamoja”
In north-eastern Uganda, Karamojong pastoralists have been going through a difficult period since last summer. Drought combined with the impact of the war in Ukraine and insecurity has taken its toll on the most vulnerable. For our colleague Emmanuel Emaruk, pastoralism remains the best response to the challenges faced in Karamoja.
The plight of internally displaced livestock keepers in Burkina Faso
For the past ten years, Burkina Faso has been the host country for hundreds of thousands of Malians fleeing from the insecurity in their country. Now, however, the population of Burkina Faso is also being forced to leave everything behind to escape from the violence. Hamado Ouedraogo, our Operations Director in Burkina Faso, explains how our teams help them, and how they continue their work in spite of everything in critical regions such as Sebba, Djibo and Dori.
The urgency of feeding displaced families in Niger
In south-western Niger, the population is being hit hard by soaring food prices. Uprooted by jihadist violence, entire families are currently going through a serious food crisis, against a backdrop of climate change and war in Ukraine. With the support of the European Union, we are distributing food packs to them.
Moving towards humanitarian aid
Thanks to the European Union’s Humanitarian Partnership Certificate, emergency aid actions are now within our reach. We should soon be able to help even more livestock keepers’ families.