Always on the Run

The Vicious Cycle of Displacement in Eastern Congo

Map of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Glossary of Acronyms

Who’s Who

Summary

Recommendations

Methodology

I. Conflict and Displacement in Eastern Congo

Recent Conflict in Eastern DRC

Displacement in North and South Kivu

II. Abuses against IDPs

Causes of Displacement

Abuses during Flight

III. The Search for Refuge

The Forest

Refuge with Host Families, in Spontaneous Sites, and in Official Camps

The Risky Search for Food

Shifting Lines, Changing Security

IV. Return

Forcible Closure of the Kiwanja and Rutshuru Camps

Closure of Official IDP Camps around Goma

V. Barriers to Return

Land Occupation

Assistance in Return Areas

VI. Protecting IDPs in Eastern Congo

UN System-Wide Strategy on Protection of Civilians

MONUC’s Role in Protecting IDPs

UNHCR and the Protection Cluster

Developments in Humanitarian Assistance Policy

Acknowledgments