Concern's Agent Micheline Kayiba with Ilunga Lusa Adrenise from Kaiha village.Concern's Agent Micheline Kayiba with Ilunga Lusa Adrenise from Kaiha village.Concern's Agent Micheline Kayiba with Ilunga Lusa Adrenise from Kaiha village.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Democratic Republic of Congo

Why are we in Democratic Republic of Congo? Concern Worldwide has been working in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1994. Our teams intervene in the sectors of Water, Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH), Nutrition and Livelihoods, and Gender & Protection with a focus on the eastern part of the country.

The fourth largest number of internally displaced persons in the world

With 5.2 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) currently hosts the fourth largest number of internally displaced persons in the world, and the second largest in Africa.

In addition, 26.4 million people are affected by acute food insecurity in the DRC, resulting in a high malnutrition rate, aggravated by displacements, lack of water and hygiene infrastructure and poor access to health and nutrition services.

Access to WASH services remains limited, only 31% of the population has access to improved water sources. 56% of the population uses unimproved toilets and 12% do not have access to basic sanitation facilities.

Latest achievements

Emergency assistance

In 2021, Concern supported 3,000 households with regular cash transfers and business skills trainings, to help restore their livelihoods. Meanwhile, in 2020, 159,000 displaced people received emergency assistance from Concern’s Rapid Response Team. 

Health

Gender Equality

Apoline Niyosenge is taught how to wash her hands properly by Concern community worker Abel Bamwisho, after having installed the handwashing station in front of her latrine, Kitshanga. Photo: Pamela Tulizo/Panos/Concern Worldwide
Apoline Niyosenge is taught how to wash her hands properly by Concern community worker Abel Bamwisho. Photo: Pamela Tulizo / Panos / Concern Worldwide
Elaine Kyungu, 23, and her baby 11 month old baby Ahadi, who suffers from SAM, Kiambi health centre, Manono Territory.
Elaine Kyungu, 23, and her baby Ahadi, Kiambi health centre, Manono Territory. Photo: Hugh Kinsella Cunningham / Concern Worldwide.
Pierre Legume Mbuyu, 30, coordinator of Kiambi Health Centre, Manono Territory.
Pierre Legume Mbuyu, 30, coordinator of Kiambi Health Centre, Manono Territory. Photo: Hugh Kinsella Cunningham / Concern Worldwide.
Esther Bora Uzima, a Concern agent, takes information from Izane Nyirafishi Kimana
Esther Bora Uzima, a Concern agent, takes information from Izane Nyirafishi Kimana. Photo: Concern Worldwide.
Justin Mupenzi Mabule and Justine Mahoro Murwanamashaka, parents of four children from Kibungu.
Justin Mupenzi Mabule and Justine Mahoro Murwanamashaka, parents of four children from Kibungu. Photo: Panos Pictures / Concern Worldwide.

Providing high quality assistance

With programmes in North Kivu and Tanganyika, Concern Worldwide DRC is developing and implementing programmes along the full emergency continuum, ranging from rapid response and humanitarian assistance to early recovery assistance and development interventions.

Concern’s objective is to alleviate poverty and hunger to provide high quality assistance through innovative programmes and with a strong focus on transforming existing gender norms and integrating protection principles.

Supported with funding from Irish Aid, BHA, FCDO, ECHO, BMZ, SIDA and foundations, in 2020, Concern reached more than 400,000 of the most vulnerable people with emergency cash interventions, gender trainings, WASH, food security, livelihoods, nutrition, and shelter programmes.

How we're helping in DRC

We’re alleviating suffering in DRC through our emergency response programmes and building resilience by tackling malnutrition and gender equality.

Rapid response
Building resilience
Graduation Model
Syria emergency appeal

Turkey-Syria Earthquake Emergency Appeal

  • Earthquakes have caused widespread devastation and loss of life in Turkey (Türkiye) and Syria

  • Millions affected and tens of thousands left homeless

  • Concern Worldwide is on the ground providing shelter, food, water and heating

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