Doctors of the World Canada

Published purpose

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 3,810 infants and pregnant and lactating women with moderate and severe acute malnutrition treatments; (2) providing at least 2,010 households with malnutrition screening tools; (3) providing at least 40,200 SRH consultations; and (4) providing at least 12,186 women and girls access to SRH services. With GAC’s support, Doctors of the World is providing assistance to address the urgent needs of up to 50,250 conflict-affected people. This project focuses on preventing and treating malnutrition, and providing access to primary healthcare, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH), for conflict-affected people.