DR Congo Improving the Health of Refugees, Internally Displaced People, and the Local Population in South Kivu Programs With 5.5 million internally displaced people within its borders, the DR Congo is among the countries with the largest population movements on the African continent. In addition, there are approximately 2.8 million returning people as well as more than 530,000 refugees and asylum seekers. The social and humanitarian situation is catastrophic, with approximately 20 million people (out of 92 million inhabitants) dependent on humanitarian aid. The situation in the eastern part of the country is particularly critical, where there are ongoing armed conflicts between government forces and rival rebel groups from within the country and neighboring countries, primarily over ethnic conflicts and control of valuable resources in the region. On average, three out of four internally displaced people (IDPs) live with host families or in camps. In these contexts, refugees and IDPs are exposed to significant protection risks. Factors contributing to their vulnerability include limited access to basic services such as water, hygiene, and sanitation, healthcare, and education, as well as extreme poverty. Additionally, the widespread insecurity and promiscuity among host families create an environment that fosters domestic and sexualized violence. The DR Congo is one of the most dangerous countries for women, with the highest number of sexual violence cases recorded worldwide in 2018. Gender-based violence is also deliberately used as a weapon of war, particularly against girls and women, to humiliate the population and disrupt the social fabric. The project aims to improve long-term access to health and clinical WASH services for refugees, internally displaced people, and the local host population by strengthening the local health system. The resilience of the vulnerable target group will also be sustainably strengthened through community awareness-raising activities, and households affected by malnutrition will receive close support. Project descriptionProject Focus: Health (including maternity care, malnutrition, medical care), health-related infrastructure, gender equality, peacebuildingProject Area: Health Zones Kaniola and Nyantende, South Kivu, DR CongoProject Activities: Support of Health Structures Eleven health facilities will be rehabilitated, equipped, and provided with water and sanitation services Supply of medical devices and equipment to the health facilities Training of health personnel on maternal and child health, pharmacy, WASH, medical care, and referral of gender-based violence cases as well as psychosocial health Strengthening Local Health Structures and Awareness Campaigns Support for Community Development Committees for Health (CODESA) in developing an operational action plan for the development of the health center, as well as in administration, financial management, and human resources Training of community health workers (ReCos) on health, hygiene, and nutrition Public awareness campaigns and radio broadcasts on health, hygiene, and nutrition Conflict Prevention and Promotion of Peaceful Coexistence Training of local authorities and representatives of internally displaced persons and refugees in peaceful conflict resolution and prevention Formation and training of community-based peace committees, joint activities Support for Households with Severely Malnourished Children Support for households with severely malnourished children Provision of agricultural tools and materials, establishment of demonstration plots for training purposes Training on vegetable cultivation, seed production, and small livestock farming Strengthening the Local Partner Organization AEO/CNA in Project Management as well as Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution Project Duration: December 2023 - May 2027 Financial Volume: 1,666,667.00 EurosPartner Organisation: AEO/CNA (Assistance aux Enfants Abandonnés et orphelins / Centre nutritionnel et Alimentaire) Funding: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)Project Number: 6000234 Your Contact Person Regina Greif Programme Manager Democratic Republic of the Congo TPL_EMAIL This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.