Democratic Republic of Congo - Emergency Appeals - World Health Organization 2020

February 2020 - 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 2020 15.6 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in the DRC a 22% increase from 2019 and 2020 expects additional population movement creating significant needs in protection livelihoods and food security. Currently the DRC is home to the second largest food crisis with almost 16 million people severely food insecure. In addition it is home to the largest internally-displaced persons (IDPs) population in Africa with 5.01 million displaced people. These needs are exacerbated by the ongoing Ebola outbreak increased violence and the forced return of hundreds of thousands of Congolese refugees. With the support of GAC and other donors the World Health Organization’s emergency operations aim to rapidly assess the threat of infectious disease outbreaks and initiate urgent activities to prevent and reduce morbidity and mortality caused by infectious disease outbreaks and to prevent escalation of outbreaks. Project activities include: (1) deploying experts to rapidly assess outbreaks; (2) delivering essential medications medical supplies and equipment; (3) providing training to health personnel; (4) coordinating and implementing vaccination campaigns; and (5) strengthening health sector coordination and health information systems.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved surveillance early detection rapid assessment of disease outbreak; (2) increased access to essential life-saving health services; and (3) improved coordination of the health response. The expected ultimate outcomes are lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crisis or acute food insecurity.