Democratic Republic of Congo
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Oxfam's work combines short-term emergency relief with longer-term development projects.
Working with displaced people
Despite its vast potential wealth, D.R. Congo is one of the poorest countries in the world. Years of conflict have created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
- An estimated 5.4 million people have lost their lives since 1998, most of them from preventable diseases
- Almost half a million Congolese refugees have fled to neighbouring countries, and over two million children have been made homeless in their own country
- One in three children are not able to go to school
- Malnutrition is widespread, and there is a serious lack of healthcare
How Oxfam is helping
We work with communities that are hosting tens of thousands of displaced people in the east of the country. Our focus is on providing clean water and sanitation facilities to minimise the spread of disease.
Before, we were suffering from a lot of stomach problems. We’ve really noticed a change since Oxfam has been working with us.
Chief Singo Pele
Datule village
Learn more
Read more examples of our work in the Democratic Republic of Congo:
ECHO (Humanitarian Aid Department of the European Commission) is supporting Oxfam's emergency response in eastern D.R. Congo
Our work in D.R. Congo is also directly funded by Oxfam Australia, Oxfam Ireland, and SDC Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
Creating a better environment for learning
After two wars, 30 years of government neglect, and prolonged economic crisis, primary education in the DRC is limited and often non-existent, keeping future generations locked in poverty.
- Nearly 50 per cent of children do not attend school
- 75 per cent of those who do, drop out before their fifth year
How Oxfam is helping
Oxfam is working to improve the quality of basic education and increase school enrolment, especially among girls. We train teachers and have been refurbishing schools, making them rainproof and supplying them with desks.
I can now learn better, the roof is much better and I like the new benches.
Sarah Mokita, pupil at Diangenda School
Other development work
- Improving hospital facilities in the capital, Kinshasa
- Promoting good hygiene practices among displaced communities living in temporary shelters
Conflict in D.R. Congo
An upsurge of fighting in eastern Congo has seen up to a staggering 900,000 people flee their homes since the start of the year. Communities have been torn apart, homes have been burned to the ground, and thousands of women have been raped. A government military offensive, backed by the United Nations, has made the situation even more dangerous for Congolese civilians.
Oxfam has expanded its emergency response to deal with the deteriorating situation, providing vital assistance to 800,000 vulnerable people.
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