Conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Working in camps
Oxfam has been working in camps, with people affected by conflict, as well as with people returning to their villages.
Three million people fled their homes. With a fragile peace, some, like those pictured, have been returning.
Others remain in camps. "People will continue to stay because it's not safe for them to return, or they have nothing to return to," explains Ngabu Norbert from Mbau Camp.
A recent upsurge in violence has seen yet more people displaced from their homes.
Photo: Tineke D'haese/Oxfam Solidarité
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Providing basic facilities
We have been providing water and sanitation facilities to camps in eastern DRC including Camp Aero which has provided shelter for up to 19,000 people.
“Oxfam is helping to keep us healthy while we are living here by providing water and toilets," says Philip, a resident of Camp Aero. "When we were hiding in the bush our health was bad because we couldn’t get good water.”
Photo: Jane Beesley
Making health promotion fun
Children learn about the importance of washing their hands through games and songs.
Nicholas (8) sings a song he has learnt from an Oxfam public health children’s group in Camp Aero.
We trained a network of volunteers in the camps who promoted good health and hygiene. We also paid people to keep the facilities clean, and to clear rubbish from around the camps.
Photo: Jane Beesley
Meeting women’s needs
In some camps we distributed sanitary wear, and installed places for washing clothes, like the one pictured.
“The women were very happy to get things like pants, soap and tissues. We thought no one would give us these things and that we would have to use what we could find,” explains Beatrice from North Kivu.
Photo: Jane Beesley
Helping returnees
As people return home we are working to provide basic services to communities and schools. Clean water is essential.
Here, Asila collects water from a spring which Oxfam has protected. “Before, the soil flowed down the hill and covered the spring. Now that the water is protected it's better quality, it's cleaner,” she says.
Photo: Jane Beesley
Improving sanitation facilities
We are building latrines in public places and schools.
These new latrines have been built by Oxfam at Luchay School. The old latrines can be seen in the background.
We are also working with families to help them construct their own latrines.
Photo: Jane Beesley
Promoting good health
Health promotion is an essential part of our work with communities. These booklets were produced to teach children about the best ways of staying healthy. We also provide training for teachers, and community health workers, in health promotion activities.
Photo: Jane Beesley
Increasing access to education
We are working to improve the quality of basic education and to increase the numbers of children going to school.
Following conflict and continued neglect of the education system; the provision of primary education in the DRC is limited. We are refurbishing schools, promoting girls’ education and training teachers and others involved in the school.
These children attend a school that has received support from Oxfam.
Photo: Mark Kiehlmann
Building a new future
We will work to ensure that people get the support they need to rebuild their lives.
Throughout the conflict, through lobbying nationally and internationally, we have sought to bring the crisis to the world’s attention.
We will continue our work to ensure that the people of the DRC are not forgotten.
Photo: Jane Beesley
