DRC - Emergency Food Security and Water and Sanitation Assistance - World Vision 2015

March 2015 - Ongoing conflict between Government and UN peacekeeping forces and a plethora of armed rebel groups in the eastern DRC has led to a widespread regional humanitarian crisis. Nearly 3 million people in the DRC have been displaced from their homes and a further 500 000 Congolese are living as refugees in neighbouring countries. An estimated 5.7 million people in the country are facing acute food insecurity and almost 3.9 million children under the age of five years old are malnourished. The level of sexual and gender-based violence particularly in the eastern region of the country is alarming. Overall an estimated 7 million people in the DRC (roughly 9% of the total population) are expected to require humanitarian assistance in 2015. With support from DFATD World Vision Canada is improving food security and water and sanitation facilities for up to 47 200 conflict-affected people in Fizi territory South Kivu province. Through this project World Vision is increasing access to food and agricultural production capacity for vulnerable households. It also works to reduce the spread of cholera and other water-borne diseases in the targeted area by increasing access to safe water and sanitation infrastructure and promoting positive hygiene practices. Project activities include: (1) distributing cash vouchers for food baskets to 300 food-insecure households; (2) providing agricultural supplies and equipment to 300 food-insecure farming households; (3) training beneficiaries on nutrition and agricultural techniques; (4) rehabilitating ten water points; (5) training and supporting water committees to maintain water points; (6) constructing latrines and handwashing stations at 5 health centres and schools; and (7) providing health and hygiene education and supplies to 700 households.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased resilience of food-insecure people against further shocks; (2) increased access to safe drinking water; and (3) increased access to sanitation facilities and hygiene supplies. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or acute food insecurity.