The Democratic Republic of the Congo

For more than 10 years, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has faced an on-going, complex and multi-faceted humanitarian crisis due to violent armed conflicts in several regions, vast numbers of displaced and  refugees, various epidemics, a general context of poverty and precariousness and local conflicts.

Out of a population of around 77 million, more than 2.9 million people are currently displaced within the country. Conflict and fear have driven several millions people out of their homes and their fields, generating needs for  livelihoods support, proper nutrition and access to services – notably health. Throughout the country, epidemics are recurrent, and the exposure to natural disasters, such as floods, increases the fragility of the population.

With financial support from the Government of Canada, the Canadian Red Cross will be working with the Red Cross of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on a five-year initiative aimed at strengthening the emergency response capacities of four Red Cross National Societies in Africa.