Oxfam Quebec

Published purpose

March 2016 – The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to experience one of the most complex and protracted humanitarian crises in the world, with numerous, large-scale displacement and returnee movements, extremely low level basic services leading to large-scale cholera and measles epidemics, increasing refugee populations, and over 50 different armed groups that continue to terrorize communities, particularly in Orientale, North Kivu, South Kivu, and Katanga provinces. At least 1.6 million people in the DRC are internally displaced and a further 500,000 Congolese are living as refugees in neighbouring countries. Approximately 5 million people are food insecure, and acute malnutrition is estimated at 8 per cent. Protection concerns remain very high, with sexual violence and other abuses related to the violence plaguing vast numbers of civilians. Humanitarian needs could further increase if insecurity grows in relation to the deepening political crisis over elections planned for late this year. Overall, an estimated 7.5 million people in the DRC (roughly 9% of the total population) are expected to require humanitarian assistance in 2016 (an increase of 500,000 over this time last year). With GAC’s support, Oxfam-Québec is providing assistance to address the urgent needs of up to 30,000 conflict-affected people in North Kivu province. This project focuses on enhancing food security as well as increasing access to safe water, sanitation facilities, and protection services for vulnerable people. Project activities include: (1) provision of cash grants to up to 10,800 people; (2) provision of agricultural inputs to up to 9,000 people; (3) distribution of basic household items to up to 10,500 people; (4) training up to 1,800 people on agriculture techniques; (5) constructing or rehabilitating ten water points; (6) constructing 250 latrines with hand-washing stations; (7) completing an awareness-raising campaign focused on positive hygiene practices; and (8) increasing awareness within the community on available protection services.