Democratic Republic of Congo | ActionAid UK

Democratic Republic of Congo

ActionAid began working in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1987, when we provided emergency relief to Burundian refugees.

We are working to make quality education accessible to more children, by providing basic facilities in schools and renovating toilets.

We support women and girls affected by, or vulnerable to, sexual violence, and help communities affected by conflict to lift themselves out of poverty.

Coronavirus in the Democratic Republic of Congo

We are currently responding to the Covid-19 crisis as it affects vulnerable communities across the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Millions of lives are at stake as Covid-19 hits war-torn countries like the DRC.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the countries at most risk from Covid-19 in Africa. 

The DRC is already struggling with measles and cholera epidemics and is just emerging from an 18-month Ebola outbreak. 

ActionAid has experience in supporting communities to prevent and manage Ebola in the region.

  • We are using that experience to help communities again by raising awareness about coronavirus
  • We are distributing information that busts myths around the disease and its spread
  • We are signposting to credible information sources and available services that support locals.

We are providing hygiene kits, medical supplies, nutritious food, and supporting people to maintain their livelihoods during the crisis. 

If we act now to protect millions of vulnerable refugees and displaced people, many lives can be saved. Please donate now. 

Donate to the DEC Coronavirus Appeal now

 

Why we work in DRC

The DRC is one of the poorest countries in the world. Over 87% of the population live below the poverty line, and ongoing conflicts have driven millions of people from their homes.

The majority of the country’s poorest people live in rural areas, where limited access to clean water and sanitation causes outbreaks of deadly diseases like cholera.

Women and girls in rural areas are vulnerable to sexual violence - it is reported that one in three women have survived sexual violence in eastern DRC.1 Half of the women aged 15-24 are also not literate.2

  • 1. https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/drc-male-female-rape-survivors-share-stories-200412123610314.html ↩
  • 2. https://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/progress-report-women-s-rights-and-literacy-eastern-congo ↩
CD
  • 100
    Over seven million children are missing out on primary education.
  • 100
    2.7 million people are internally displaced due to conflict.
  • 40
    Nearly 40% of girls are married before the age of 18.
Cecile Kasoki/ActionAid

ActionAid distributes essentials and hygiene kits to women in Nyiragongo territory, in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Photo: Cecile Kasoki/ActionAid

What we do in the DRC

We have a long-term programme working with local partner organisations in 15 areas across the North and South Kivu Provinces – home to an estimated 12 million people.

We provide psychological support to survivors of sexual violence and put a stop to violence before it happens. We run workshops with the police and military to find ways to ensure that laws against sexual violence are understood and enforced.

We also build the resilience of communities affected by conflict, by providing agricultural tools, seeds, and training to help them become self-sufficient.

Together with local, grassroots women's organisations, we're helping women and girls to lift their communities out of poverty - for good. 

Ebola outbreak 2019

ActionAid is currently responding to an outbreak of Ebola in the DRC, where at least 1,500 people are reported to have died.2

We are working closely with local groups who are rooted in communities and have the trust of local people. In particular, we are working with women, who are often the first responders in emergencies like this outbreak.

Our response is focused on:

  • Training women in how to prevent Ebola, including education about vital hygiene measures that people can take
  • Working with government and other organisations to ensure clear, accurate information is distributed to communities, in local languages
  • Working closely with ActionAid Uganda to prevent the spread of disease across borders.

We are preparing to expand this awareness-raising work, including tackling misconceptions about the disease in the communities where we work.

Find out more about Ebola, its impact, and ActionAid's work responding to outbreaks.

Footnotes

Top image: Women in the DRC attend a project meeting that aims to build a protective environment for vulnerable people. The meeting participants are wearing masks to protect themselves and to stop the spread of Covid-19. ActionAid