DRC - Emergency Child Protection Response - Save the Children Canada 2018

February 2018 – The humanitarian situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has deteriorated at an alarming rate since 2016. A surge in violent conflict and inter-communal tensions erupted in previously peaceful areas and intensified in others in 2017 forcing millions to flee their homes; bringing the total number of internally displaced people in the country to 4.49 million and severely stretching the humanitarian community’s capacity to respond. Across the DRC at least 13.1 million people require humanitarian assistance - an increase of 79% from the start of 2017. This includes 7.7 million severely food insecure people and close to 2 million severely malnourished children. With the support of GAC Save the Children Canada is providing assistance to address the urgent needs of up to up to 92 199 conflict-affected people in the Kasaï Oriental province. This project will provide immediate lifesaving protection and nutrition services for conflict-affected girls and boys and their families. Project activities include: (1) provide regular transport support to bring mobile squad teams to target sites benefiting up to 1550 people; (2) rehabilitate and equip Child Friendly Spaces benefiting up to 48 129 children; (3) rehabilitate classrooms and wash facilities of target schools benefiting up to 2000 children; (4) equip and train female and male community health workers on nutritional screening benefiting up to 4000 children; and (5)training up to 60 SC staff and community health worker in the delivery of Infant and young children feeding (IYCF).

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increase equitable access and use of gender-responsive protection services for conflict-affected girls and boys; (2) improve the nutrition status of conflict-affected children and pregnant or lactating women. The expected ultimate outcome is reduced vulnerability of conflict-affected girls and boys through comprehensive protection and nutrition services.