Despite a wealth of natural resources, the economic, social and health systems in DRC have slowed down dramatically since the 1980s, followed by total collapse during two inter-African wars.
Médecins du Monde auprès des filles des rues à Kinshasa - le 4 mn
Jeunes filles des rues à Kinshasa (RDC) - 1mn30
Photo : Jacky Naegelen/Reuters
Despite the gradual return to peace, the population of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo continues to experience violations of human rights, particularly sexual violence. The consequences for the population are critical. MdM provides support by building capacity within civil society and health institutions.
TACKLING HIV.
Goma and Karisimbi health zones, Nord-Kivu province - long term.
ACTIVITIES
Launched in 2003, this programme takes an integrated approach to tackling sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS. MdM works with local stakeholders (health authorities and local organisations) to jointly develop and steer the programme. Technical, institutional and financial support provided by MdM enabled implementation of a complete package of activities to tackle HIV in each of the programme areas. The plan includes three STI services, one testing and counselling service and one location for prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) activities in Goma, one HIV and one PMTCT service in Karisimbi, support for a provincial blood transfusion service that covers two health zones and a network of 12 local organisations under the umbrella of the FOSI platform for awareness-raising activities.
RESULTS
5,130 patients were monitored, 1,425 received antiretroviral treatment, 4,783 people were tested (15% HIV positive), 600,000 people reached by awareness-raising activities.
OUTLOOK
The local key players involved in the fight against HIV have reached the required level of experience to be able to takeover the arrangements that are in place. MdM provides technical and financial support to ensure the sustainability of the activities. The drastic reduction in funding for HIV projects, however, threatens to compromise this objective.
Life expectancy : 48 yrs IDH : 0.230 ; rang : 168/169*
Population Beneficiaries : 5,130
Target : 20,000
Personnel Local : 22 Expatriate : 0
Co-ordinators : Programme : Almouner Talibo
and Frédéric Jacquet Field : Billy Sivahera,
Pascale Barnich-Mungwa HQ :Catherine Courtin
Budget 2010 :€961,837
Funding : Multi-lateral funds (UNDP and Cordaid), Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MdM
Isidore Kalimira President of a Congolese HIV organisation
“The armed conflict and the population displacements have made us forget the issue of HIV in this high-prevalence region. Humanitarian organisations and UN agencies have set up emergency programmes, ignoring any anti-AIDS activities. Patients have been abandoned and left to die.”
TACKLING SEXUAL VIOLENCE THROUGHT A COMMUNICTY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMME
Goma and Karisimbi health zones, Nord-Kivu province - long term.
ACTIVITIES
The project continues to reinforce the knowledge and skills of psycho-social counsellors, often the first point of call for victims. MdM supports a resource and exchange centre on sexual violence, offering counsellors support activities and an opportunity to exchange experiences. The project also enabled implementation of community-based mental health activities in partnership with six Congolese NGOs in Goma and in the rural environment (awareness-raising, psycho-social care and support with family and socio-economic reintegration).
RESULTS
310 female victims of sexual violence cared for by 53 psycho-social counsellors trained to support victims.
OUTLOOK
Having trained a pool of community agents to support victims, the project looks to its long-term sustainability by building managerial capacity within civil society organisations involved in tackling sexual violence (organisations that the counsellors have come from).
Life expectancy : 48 yrs IDH : 0.230 ; rang : 168/169 *
Population Beneficiaries : 3,170
Target : 9,540
Personnel Local : 5 Expatriate : 2
Co-ordinators : Programme : Christian Laval Field : Julie Bodin, Pascale Barnich-Mungwa HQ :Catherine Courtin
Budget 2010 :€392,722
Funding : AFD, UNFPA, MdM
Elizabeth Psycho-social counsellor
“The armed conflict and the population displacements have made us forget the issue of HIV in this high-prevalence region. Humanitarian organisations and UN agencies have set up emergency programmes, ignoring any anti-AIDS activities. Patients have been abandoned and left to die.”
Despite its plentiful resources, DRC is still affected by the successive civil wars. Although a gradual return to peace has brought stability to most of the country, the reconstruction process still presents enormous challenges. MdM supports policies in relation to health and tackling violence against women, as well as promoting access to healthcare for vulnerable groups, either by providing direct support or through partnerships with civil society.
PROVIDING CARE AND PROTECTION FOR GIRLS LIVING ON THE STREETS
Kinshasa - Long term
ACTIVITIES
Based on a solid partnership with a local organisation, and in liaison with a large network, the programme aims to improve access to healthcare for children living on the streets, with a particular focus on girls. Primary healthcare consultations are provided in four clinics in Kinshasa with referral to appropriate health services, particularly for HIV testing and care. Patients living with AIDS have access to psycho-social support to help them adhere to treatment programmes. A shelter especially for girls and young women living on the streets promotes care for specific medical needs (reproductive health) and protection (sexual violence). Psycho-social activities and professional re-integration support are also provided. Advocacy activities, directed at the authorities, have been developed to fight for the recognition of street children’s rights.
RESULTS
16,224 consultations carried out, including 969 in relation to reproductive health (206 pregnancies monitored and 280 women started on contraception).
OUTLOOK
In 2011, the focus will be on harm reduction among girls living on the streets in Kinshasa. The project will include prevention, treatment for HIV/AIDS, STIs and hepatitis. Sexual violence cases will receive multi-disciplinary support and the capacity of our partners will be strengthened.
Life expectancy : 48 yrs IDH : 0.230 ; rang : 168/169 *
Funding : Unicef, AFD, European Union (EuropeAid), Paris City Council, Fubon Foundation, Annenberg Foundation, MdM
M. 17 years old
“Because of my illness, sickle-cell anaemia, my family thought I was a witch and threw me out. On the streets I fell pregnant and my illness caused me so much pain that I decided to kill myself. The educator in the centre found me with a rope already attached to a beam and took me to the psychologist. We talked a lot. Today my daughter is five months old and is doing well.”
In south-east DRC, the huge Katanga province is divided in two: the cobalt belt in the south and the rural, agricultural area in the north. Tanganyika district, which borders the conflict area, is a transition area where the health system remains extremely fragile. Cholera is endemic in lakeside areas and flourishes along the rivers and the communication routes.
SUPPORTING LOCAL HEALTH SERVICES.
11 health zones of Tanganyika district, Katanga province - Long term
ACTIVITIES
This project launched in 2006 aims to improve the accessibility and quality of primary healthcare for the general population of Tanganyika, through a technical, financial and operational partnership with the provincial and district health authorities. This programme, carried out under the auspices of the national health policy, has four components: supporting the district management steering team; supporting the staff of Kongolo zone to improve the quality of care in the general hospital (including the maternity unit); supporting the introduction of a minimum package of activities in health centres; and feeding into the review process on health system financing to promote the accessibility of care for vulnerable groups.
RESULTS
7,676 children under one year old vaccinated (93.2% coverage), 3,998 women seen by Kongolo CPN.
OUTLOOK
Bolstered by partnerships that have been forged over more than five years with the district health authorities, and based on a capacity-building approach, MdM plans to withdraw in 2011. The organisation is preparing to handover responsibilities to the relevant authorities.
Life expectancy : 48 yrs IDH : 0.230 ; rang : 168/169 *
Funding : European Union (EuropeAid), American Express, MdM
PREVENTING AND TACKLING EPIDEMICS
11 health zones of Tanganyika district, Katanga province - Long term
ACTIVITIES
Support for the health authorities, particularly on training and supervision of health service staff (epidemiological surveillance, investigation of cases and caring for patients). MdM also donates therapeutic supplies and non-medical support (epidemiological data collection tools). The programme aims to set up services to treat cases when epidemics flare up (opening or refurbishing cholera treatment centres), to co-ordinate epidemic control (defining local response and contingency plans with the political and administrative authorities). Finally, the programme has introduced health mapping.
RESULTS
3,675 cases treated, including 585 children under five, with a fatality rate of 2%.
OUTLOOK
Bolstered by partnerships that have been forged over more than five years with the district health authorities, and based on a capacity-building approach, MdM plans to withdraw in 2011. The organisation is preparing to handover responsibilities to the relevant authorities.
Life expectancy : 48 yrs IDH : 0.230 ; rang : 168/169 *
