DRC - Emergency Assistance - The Alliance for International Medical Action 2021-2022

January 2021 - The crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is characterized by violent conflict epidemics and natural disasters compounding and exacerbating existing vulnerabilities. In 2021 19.6 million people (20% increase since 2020) are in need of humanitarian assistance. Some 21.8 million people currently face severe acute food insecurity including 3.4 million acutely malnourished children under the age of five the highest absolute number ever recorded worldwide. The DRC is also home to the largest internally displaced persons population in Africa with 5.2 million displaced people creating significant needs in protection livelihoods and food security. These needs are exacerbated by communicable disease outbreaks intensified conflicts and severe food insecurity. Project activities include: (1) providing at least 29 354 children with malnutrition consultations; (2) providing training to 130 community volunteers in severe acute malnutrition screening and referrals; (3) providing WASH kits to 2 393 households; (4) providing at least 62 978 beneficiaries with WASH awareness-raising sessions; and (5) providing 8 697 prenatal and postnatal consultations. With GAC’s support The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) is providing assistance to address the urgent needs of up to 92 332 conflict-affected people in the Kailo territory in the Maniema province. This project focuses on improving water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) conditions preventing and treating malnutrition and strengthening institutional capacities in community structures (such as hospitals clinics and health care centers) for conflict-affected people.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved access to severe acute malnutrition treatment for girls and boys under the age of five and pregnant and lactating women; (2) improved knowledge of communities to prevent and detect severe acute malnutrition cases; and (3) improved access water sanitation and hygiene conditions. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.