Jan 18 2008
$20K of Fuel Wood Ready for Distribution to Refugee Camp near Gorilla Sector
This is Samantha. I know you have all been waiting for an update on the fuel wood for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Kibati. This follows on from December’s fuel wood campaign when WildlifeDirect request $20K to provide fuel wood to 7,000 people for 4 weeks. This was to prevent IDPs from cutting down the park for fuel wood, something that would take years and years for the park to recover from.
This was always intended to be a stop-gap measure, until the humanitarian agencies provided the fuel wood to the IDPs themselves. There is simply no way that a small conservation organization like WildlifeDirect can commit to providing fuel wood in the long term to IDPs. We just do not have the funds, despite amazing generosity from all the blog readers.
To refresh your memory courtesy of WWF, with whom we are working closely on this issue as they have the expertise: Mikeno Sector is aka the Gorilla Sector. Kibumba site and around there is where IDPs have come from. Kibati is where the IDP camp has been set up. Nyamulagira Sector is the other part of the southern sector of Virunga National Park (with Mikeno Sector).
So on 27 December I blogged that we had reached the $20K campaign target - in fact we ended up surpassing it and reached $21,385. So these funds in their entirety will go to the IDP fuel wood.
Now when we started this campaign, I was clear that in the end we may not need to provide fuel wood. In other words the conflict may have ended and the IDPs could all return home. Regrettably this has not been the case. While the conflict has diminished in intensity due to the ongoing peace conference (see below), the insecurity is still there and no IDPs are returning home. So we absolutely need the money for the fuel wood.
You may have read in the press there is a peace conference currently being held in Goma that aims to find a solution to this conflict that has dogged the east of DRC for far too long. The conference, with 1,300 participants, over 60 working commissions, and reaching a cost of nearly $5 million (funded by the European Union), will continue toward the end of Jan. We all hope a compromise will be reached, that the fighting will end, that people will be able to go home and that the Rangers will once again be able to patrol the Gorilla Sector. We shall see.
So, back to the IDP camp at Kibati. I went there last Sunday. Last time I was there was mid-December, and I blogged about it, with pictures. In mid-December there were just a couple of “hangars”, large structures made of tarp. Nothing else.
Now the camp looks like this:
One of the “hangars” is to the left of the photo, and on the right is the water supply.
This was an empty space when I visited in December. Now there are some 4,500 IDPs living here.
Each shelter houses at least 4 people. Conditions are cramped and sanitation lacking.
IDPs are waiting for delivery of food.
The water truck in background and water storage in fore.
Children & adults mill about, waiting.
There are an estimated 4,500 IDPs in the camp, in what I can only describe as miserable conditions. UNHCR, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, is in charge of the camp, with management subcontracted out for the most part to NRC, the Norwegian Refugee Council. That is how it works basically, UNHCR subcontracts to other humanitarian NGOs for the management of IDP camps.
So the people have been moved there from around the Gorilla Sector. This is positive in the sense that now they are all in one place to help. The UNHCR however has yet to deliver food to the camp - which of course means we cannot deliver fuel wood. I have no idea how on earth people are getting by. I am hopeful that the food delivery will happen next week, and WildlifeDirect is coordinating with Rob at FZS and Bruno at World Wildlife Fund to see if the fuel wood can be delivered at same time as the food. Logistics as you know are fairly challenging here. In addition the price of fuel has gone up as a result of the Kenya troubles - everything in eastern DRC comes from Mombassa. But nevertheless we are ready to jump.
So the long and short of it is that the fuel wood has not yet been delivered, but it will be very soon, and so the campaign has been a success. In other words, we have ended up needing those funds that you all donated to this effect. Thank you to each and everyone of you who donated. This is a small step toward protecting the forests of Virunga National Park, and the habitat of the Mountain Gorillas.
Samantha
Technorati : congo, drc, fuel wood, iccn, idp, wildlifedirect
Daily news from the conservation frontline by Innocent and Diddy, and other Congolese rangers risking their lives to save mountain gorillas of the Virunga National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Very thorough update, Samantha, thanks. I hope the three rangers injured are coming along ok, I’m surprised the thugs didnt try to steal their truck as well. Anxiously awaiting news on the gorillas, as is everyone. Hope our little Mapendo is doing well and thanks again to our brave rangers for all they do in the midst of chaos…
Samantha:
It sounds like you are saying that the refugees camped at the edge of the park have been moved to the new camp. That is good news. I’m wondering what is the distance between the two camps and did the people walk? Does this mean the people going into the park from the camp for fuel has decrease? (though there is probably still illegal charcoal activities going on). And I too wonder how the people are managing without food. Hopefully the food will arrive soon. Thanks for the update.
Thanks, Sam, for a very thorough update. It’s hard to imagine being in that situation - no home, no food, no income. The people of Congo must be very strong to deal with so much hardship. I hope the food arrives soon.
s.
Thank you for comments everyone and good questions Pam. Re 1, I actually don’t know the answer in this specific place but I suspect everyone walked. The distance is about 15km. The UNHCR will usually provide transport for refugees, which are internationally displace people. But for INTERNALLY displace people, IDPs, usually they just let them know of the site and people make their way there with all their belongings. Atrocious when you think about it. 2. As I said there are 4,500 IDPs at the Kibati camp. But this is not all of them. There are still some around the park, who have not yet come to the camp. BUT you are right that the illegal charcoal production is showing signs of slowing because these people are simply not in such close proximity to the forests of Virunga. But as I said in the post we are desperate for NRC to distribute food so that we can then give fuel wood. I will definitely feel a whole lot better. This humanitarian organization work is something that I see, but I do not know the inner workings. So am keeping my fingers crossed that it all happens soon.
Going without food scares me because of the bushmeat trade - I for one will be very relieved to know food has been delivered! I hope soon!
[…] and problems in Africa. Some tweets are designed for fund-raising for particular initiatives. For example: “DR Congo: $3000 out of $20,000 still needed to protect mountain gorillas habitat from […]
Dear Samantha,
Again, thanks for your update on this extraordinary situation near the park borders: seems that wildlifedirect should be proud you’ve basically intervened to save the forest in the immediate area and the hopefully the gorillas too; let’s hope the rangers can get back into the forest soon to check on the them. It’s heartbreaking about the people, so sad; but I am happy the peace talks are taking place at the least. It’s good to look ahead regarding the charcoal problems since the habitat cannot support both gorillas and fuel needs. It’s great so many from around the world want to help and support future solutions. I hope the scientific community will get on board to address the fuel problem asap with real solutions along with AWF and all the other ngos working there. And maybe a big donor will step in to support this very important work as we all come together to try to save this endangered species and address the humanitarian situation. Again, thanks and be safe and all the best to you and the Rangers. I am so grateful for your very important work.
Judy in CA
Desperate times Sam. How these people survive I can’t imagine. Decades of this breeds strong people and they just don’t blip on Western radar. Atrocious. Who is chairing / running the peace process with 1,300 participants?! Great that so many want to be part of peace but that’s a gigantuan undertaking.
Fantastic support from blog supporters allows WD / FZS / WWF give help where needed. Pray food to babes, parents and the elderly fast.
Stay safe everyone,
Someone said: who has hunger has hurry. Hopefully that the food and other needs arrive to the suffered Congolese people soon. Thanks Samantha to meticulous updating.
I been thinking how we can raise funds for the gorilla orphanage. Since I’m fairly new to WLD, I’m curious how all of you first learned of this organization. I first heard of WLD from Anderson Cooper, when he did his piece on the gorillas on CNN.I’ve been trying to think how we can bring more people to this blog in particular. Email campaign, flyers, bumber stickers, etc. Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks for the update Samantha…I hope WD can keep doing what ever it takes large or small to help the families and keep the gorillas safe! Thank you!
Thanks Samantha for answers to questions.
Dear friends
The work of IDA Africa In Defense of
Animals (www.ida-africa.org) founded
by Dr Sheri Speed, an american
veterinary, is fascinating -
rescue of great apes in Cameroon.
Samantha would be possible invited Dr
Sheri to join her blog to WildlifeDirect, like Frank and
Roxane with J.A.C.K.?
Hi Theresa - all suggestions, support, ideas, initiatives welcome! We are a very small team here in Congo so any help we can get from the outside world is brilliant and much needed. Lucia - re blogging please contact Paula. She is Paula at wildlifedirect dot org. We do have some evaluation criteria for our blogs - principally that they are doing good conservation, but Paula is definitely the one to help your friends out in Cameroon further. Thanks.
Thanks, Samantha for your reply and encouragement! I contacted Brenda Schloss, Founder of KINSHIP CIRCLE earlier this week, after little Vumilia died. She checked out WLD’s website and asked what our goal was. I told her to bring more people to this blog and raise funds for the gorilla orphanage. I will forward her email to you Samantha, to give you idea of the production work she does.I emailed her a few minutes ago to get more ideas from her such as flyers, etc. She also writes editorials.Maybe that would be the way to go. Anyway, I’ll keep working on it!
Samantha….Saw this on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/nonprofits
Does your organization have a compelling story to tell? Do you want to connect with your supporters, volunteers, and donors but don’t have the funds to launch expensive outreach campaigns?
YouTube can help. Video is a powerful way to show your organization’s impact and needs, and with a designated “Nonprofit” channel on YouTube, you can deliver your message to the world’s largest online video community.
Your Nonprofit channel includes:
Premium branding capabilities and increased uploading capacity
Rotation of your videos in the “Promoted Videos” areas throughout the site
The option to drive fundraising through a Google Checkout “Donate” button
Gary, very good info!!! Thanks for stepping up to the plate with a great idea…Sam, what do you think?
OMG, Gary’s back!
s.
Theresa, I am wondering whether it might be useful to have the question “how did you hear about WLD” as part of the paypal site. I am also trying to figure out if any of the fliers I’ve mailed and some other things I’ve done have brought in any money. Since they are going to people I don’t know, I have no idea if this has been useful. I just sent an email to Samantha with the same question so we can see what she thinks.
Cathy, Ditto…You never know how unsoliticed emails and flyers will be recieved. Then there is the cost. I think Gary has a promising idea about You Tube as an effective advertising medium. I checked out the application page, it doesn’t ask for a fee…however someone from WLD like Emmanuel or Samantha would have to fill the application out. Cathy your idea has merit also, there are those who donate but never comment, it might prove helpful to determine how they first learned of WLD. Thanks for sharing.
Just back from the field. Will check it all out! Got your email Cathy. Thanks everyone.
[…] troops in North Kivu province, and the resettlement of thousands of villagers, including those IDPs near the park we have been blogging […]
[…] for purchasing wood fuel for displaced people in DRC. The success of their appeal is shown by a post on the 18th indicating that the fuel wood campaign they initiated a month ago surpassed its $20K […]
[…] you with an update on the fuel wood for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at Kibati. I last posted on this on 18th January. For those of you who don’t know, we all raised $20,000 in December […]
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