The Democratic Republic of Congo

Humanitarian Crises

The Democratic Republic of Congo is suffering from one of the world's most acute and protracted humanitarian crises. Armed conflict and natural disasters continue to cause large population displacements. The country is home to 5.5 million IDPs, 1.2 million returnees, and 520,000 refugees from neighboring countries (HNO, 2022). Due to the prolonged conflict, most schools are run in deplorable conditions. The conflict makes students more vulnerable to all forms of violence, exploitation, and abuse, including abduction, sexual violence, recruitment, killings, attacks on schools and hospitals, and restrictions on humanitarian access.56 percent of the population still lives in rural areas, nearly 43 percent of children under five years of age suffer from hunger, and more than 9 out of every 100 children die before their fifth birthday. In 2018, a gradual spread of Ebola has added to an already alarming humanitarian situation.

Since 2019, the Covid-19 pandemic has also increased the hardships of families.

Public safety is threatened by ongoing human rights violations connected by both government forces and rebel groups.  ActionAid has been working in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 2003, with a focus in humanitarian assistance to communities affected by conflict and disaster in the eastern provinces. 

We are currently implementing an extensive protection program with the goal of supporting 40 communities in the Maniema area of South Kivu region. These communities share similar humanitarian needs, as they are home to large numbers of internally displaced persons who do not have access to humanitarian assistance. 

Within this program, the right to education is of priority importance and aims to promote access to safe, quality education for children from displaced and vulnerable families affected by the conflict by providing them with integrated education and protection.  Lack of access to schooling in fact exposes children to even higher risks of sexual exploitation, early marriage (especially for girls) and forced recruitment.

In order to address the issue in its complexity, action is needed at multiple levels: in the area of infrastructure improvement, in the area of direct financial support for families, in teacher training, laying the groundwork for a cultural change in the approach to schooling, putting girls and their rights at the center, and spreading and raising awareness about the importance of access to safe and quality education for all.

Contact us to learn more.

Photocredit: ActionAid