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Oxfam in the Democratic Republic of Congo

A child collects water from an Oxfam water point. The provision of clean water and sanitation is a big focus of Oxfam's work in DR Congo. Photo: Liz Lucas/Oxfam America

From our staff

Blaise Kibiswa, Head of the Education Project

 In 2010, I spent time working in the city of Mbandaka. While I was there, I was in charge of re-opening the Oxfam office which had closed during the conflict in the DRC. As part of my role, I helped to finish work which had been halted - constructing three schools, building wells and installing water sources.

It wasn't an easy task, but after a tough time we were able to stabilise the situation and restart the activities that Oxfam had been involved in. The efforts of my colleagues at that time were extraordinary. It was a real victory for the Oxfam family.



Full details of what Oxfam is doing in the DRC (PDF, 672KB)

DRC crisis

Renewed conflict has caused over 760,000 people to flee their homes in eastern Congo since the start of 2012. 

Conflict in DR Congo

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In 2010-11 Oxfam helped:

1,900,000
people in
DR Congo

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Related reports and papers

Snapshot of Oxfam in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Photo 1/10 photo by: Simon Rawles

Years of conflict in eastern DRC’s have created one of the world’s largest and most complex humanitarian crises. Since 1998, an estimated 5.4 million people have lost their lives, and more than 1.7 million people remain displaced from their homes. Our emergency work focuses on the provision of clean water and sanitation and the promotion of safe hygiene practices.

  • Years of conflict in eastern DRC’s have created one of the world’s largest and most complex humanitarian crises. Since 1998, an estimated 5.4 million people have lost their lives, and more than 1.7 million people remain displaced from their homes. Our emergency work focuses on the provision of clean water and sanitation and the promotion of safe hygiene practices.
  • The DRC has more than half of Africa's water reserves, yet three quarters of the population lack access to safe drinking water. Our work in Congo includes building wells, water treatment systems, protected springs and gravity supply systems, often in very remote locations. Here, Oxfam staff construct a pipeline to bring clean water to a village 6 kilometres away from the nearest water source.
  • We also seek to promote good hygiene practices to prevent the spread of diseases such as malaria and cholera. This includes running special public health campaigns, helping rehabilitate health centres and building safe sanitation facilities for families and communities such as toilet blocks and showers. Here, two workers help assemble latrines slabs.
  • In many parts of the DRC primary education is limited and often non-existent, keeping future generations locked in poverty. Oxfam works 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.
  • The conflict zones in the east of DRC see thousands of women raped each year. Domestic violence is also a major concern across the country. Here, people take part in an Oxfam 'We Can' end violence against women march. This campaign seeks to change male attitudes and reduce violence at home. We also lobby to protect women from rape and promote women’s influence in decision-making.
  • Helping people find sustainable ways of making a living is another important element of our work. In the east of the country many farmers are unable to access their fields due to insecurity. Obstructions such as military checkpoints and bad roads also make it hard to bring products to market. Oxfam provides equipment and training, and works to find new ways of selling produce.
  • We also provide support to groups like this women's tailoring co-operative in Goma through our local partner, RAFEC - the African Network for the Advancement of Women.

The impact of our work

 As a mother it is really important to have clean water in the camp. We don't just use water for cooking we use it for washing ourselves and cleaning our pots. We also have showers and toilets here that we can use. If I hadn't managed to reach this camp we would have died.


Karo, beneficiary of Oxfam water system in camp for displaced people, eastern Congo