DRC - Emergency Assistance - Doctors Without Borders 2017

March 2017 - The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is facing one of the world's gravest and forgotten humanitarian crises with approximately 7.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Exacerbating factors include extremely low levels of basic services increasing refugee populations and the violence perpetrated by approximately 60 different armed groups across the country. At least 1.9 million people in the DRC are internally displaced and a further 475 000 Congolese are living as refugees in neighbouring countries. Approximately 5 million people are food insecure and acute malnutrition is estimated at 8%. Sexual violence and other abuses related to the violence plaguing vast numbers of civilians remains a significant challenge particularly in the eastern provinces making protection a continuing priority. With the support of GAC and other donors Doctors Without Borders is helping to meet the basic health needs of up to 350 000 conflict-affected people in 17 provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Through its support to local hospitals and health centres in this area Doctors Without Borders is supporting conflict-affected communities to access quality life-saving healthcare. Project activities include: (1) providing primary healthcare to up to 50 000 people; (2) conducting up to 2 000 vaccinations for vulnerable populations; and (3) treating up to 17 000 cases of malaria cholera and other infectious diseases.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to basic health care for the most vulnerable; and (2) improved surveillance early detection rapid assessment and effective response to epidemic outbreaks and emergency alerts. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or acute food insecurity.