DRC - Integrated Emergency Nutrition - Action Against Hunger Canada 2014

March 2014 – Conflict and insecurity in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which intensified in late 2012 and early 2013 has continued in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces and expanded in Orientale Maniema and Katanga provinces. The ongoing violence has resulted in large-scale new displacement significant protection needs and the destruction of assets livelihoods and basic infrastructure. More than 2.8 million Congolese are currently displaced and 450 000 others are living as refugees in neighbouring countries. Overall an estimated 6.3 million people in the DRC require humanitarian assistance this year an increase of nearly 1 million from last year. With DFATD’s support Action Against Hunger Canada is reducing malnutrition among conflict-affected communities in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces through an integrated approach benefitting 23 700 people. Activities include: (1) identifying severe acute malnutrition among 9 240 children under 5 years old and treating those affected; (2) training on how to manage malnutrition and awareness-raising on its causes for 420 people; (3) rehabilitating safe drinking water sources for 3 500 people; (4) constructing family latrines for 5 000 people; (5) constructing sanitation facilities in targeted health centres and schools; (6) providing agricultural inputs to increase cultivation benefitting 14 000 people; (7) supporting income-generating activities for 300 vulnerable households; and (8) leading cash-for-work activities to improve community assets.

The expected immediate outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to interventions aimed at preventing identifying and treating severe acute malnutrition among children; (2) increased access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities; and (3) increased access to interventions designed to increase food security and reduce negative coping strategies. The expected intermediate outcome is reduced vulnerability of crisis-affected people especially women and children.