Democratic Republic of the Congo Crisis - Emergency Assistance - Save the Children 2022-2023

February 2022 - The crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is characterized by inter-ethnic conflict and widespread human rights abuses including sexual violence. In 2022 27 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in the DRC a 7.4% increase from 2021. Currently the DRC is home to the largest global food crisis with an unprecedented 27 million people severely food insecure. In addition it is home to the largest internally-displaced persons population in Africa with 5.5 million displaced people. Additional population movements are also expected in 2022 creating significant needs in protection livelihoods and food security needs. These needs are worsened by the ongoing impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic other health epidemics increased violence across eastern provinces and political uncertainty. With GAC’s support Save the Children is providing assistance to address the urgent needs of up to 82 500 conflict-affected people in the Djugu and Irumu territory of DRC. This project focuses on preventing and treating malnutrition and providing protection services to at-risk children. Project activities include: (1) providing treatment for children under the age of five who are suffering from severe acute malnutrition and diseases that worsen malnutrition; (2) providing case management response services and referrals to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) unaccompanied and separated children children associated with armed groups and other at-risk girls and boys; and (3) reaching up to 36 049 people through awareness raising on child protection and SGBV response services.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access to gender-responsive and age-appropriate protection services for conflict-affected children especially for unaccompanied and separated children children associated or formerly associated with armed groups and SGBV survivors; and (2) improved nutritional status of children under five years old and pregnant and lactating women and adolescent girls among internally displaced populations and host communities. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.