The absence of fighting these last days and the pursuit of surveillance operations by the MONUC have encouraged some IDPs to return in their dwellings. Some families that fled away due to insecurity have started coming back home in the city of Kanyabayonga, a village located at 150 km north from Goma town.

The same movement of return has been noticed in Kayna, a village located at 200 km north from Goma, in the territory of Lubero. But, they are facing enormous difficulties. Most houses of Kanyabayonga, Kayna and Kirumbas had been robbed and looted seriously by the armed men who carried away mattress, covers, kitchen utensils and many other things of high value.

Given that the majority of families in these rural areas rely on and live mainly from agricultural activities, they don’t have enough to live on: nothing to eat, nor what to clothe themselves as they don't have access to their fields. Their fields are simply occupied by armed groups. Until today, many schools have not yet opened their doors because their administrative offices have been looted.