According to ACT, a large influx of refugees to the Bukavu area will increase tension and strain available resources there. The flight of refugees from Uvira, which began Oct. 20, follows recent fights between Zairian army units and local Tutsi groups, including attacks at refugee camps and a hospital in the Uvira area. ACT's partners in the region have started work on contingency plans in case the situation worsens. Oct. 19 increased tension and may signal further unrest and displacement. A field hospital at Nyangezi, just south of Bakavu, is operated by ACT, Norwegian Church Aid and a local agency.
Staff there report a very difficult security and supply situation in the area.
Bukavu is practically cut off from overland routes and only holds food and medicine for a few days. Based on what is available preparations are being made by ACT and other agencies to cover basic needs of the refugees. Further north in Eastern Zaire armed conflict and deteriorating security situation has been reported over the last days with a focus on fighting in the border region between Zaire, Uganda and Rwanda cutting off the main supply road for humanitarian assistance to the camps near Goma. ACT staff present in the area reports Goma town quiet but roads impassable because of land mines. The Lutheran World Federation is a worldwide communion of 122 member churches, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.