Led by Tearfund DRC, a consortium including War Child, Help a Child, World Vision, Stichting Vluchteling/ICR, and CARE International together with their local partners launched a coordinated emergency response across the health zones of Goma, Nyiragongo, Karisimbi, and Kirotshe. Their mission: to deliver lifesaving assistance in water, sanitation, healthcare, food security, protection, and cash.
This is the story of that response and of the resilient communities who, despite unimaginable hardship, continue to rebuild their lives.

Healing Begins at Bujovu Health Center 
At the heart of Bujovu, a neighbourhood deeply affected by the crisis, community health worker Mugeni Mutabaz has become a beacon of hope. “I’ve lived here for 12 years,” she says. “My job is to raise awareness about diseases and let families know that medical care for children is free. Pregnant women who used to give birth at home now come to the health centre.”
Philippe Ndabateze, head nurse and local health coordinator at the Bujovu Health Center, explains how training has empowered health workers to detect and respond to potential epidemics. “We monitor diseases like cholera and mpox. The improved water supply, had a positive effect and directly decreased the cholera-cases.”
For residents like Anuarite Kakes, this access to healthcare has been life-changing. “My daughter fell ill suddenly. She was vomiting and had a high fever. The nurses treated her immediately. We’ve learned how easily children can get sick from crawling on dirty floors. Now we know what to do.”

Water: a lifeline restored 
Water scarcity was one of the most pressing issues once M23 captured Goma. Bienfait Murhula, project manager at Bon Dieu dans la Rue (local partner of Stichting Vluchteling), recalls the desperate days when Goma’s public water supply was cut off. “We identified Buhimba Avenue as the most vulnerable area and installed a water point there.” Before this intervention, residents had to cross into Rwanda or walk for hours to fetch water. “Sometimes we spent the whole day just to fill one jerrycan,” says Mukundiyukuri Marceline. “It wasn’t even enough to wash ourselves.” Albertine Kasao shares how the new water point transformed daily life. “I used to do laundry once a week. Now I can wash clothes every day. My children are clean, and they no longer get sick from dirty water.”
The consortium now supplies up to 40 cubic meters of water daily, an essential service that has restored dignity and health to thousands.

Rebuilding lives with dignity 
For many displaced families, returning home meant starting from scratch. Biriko Georgette, a returnee in Kibumba, lost everything: livestock, household items, even cooking pots. “I’m thankful for the items I received. They help me do laundry, collect rainwater, and cook. These things are essential.” Help a Child, working in Nyiragongo, focused on cash assistance, WASH, and protection. Project manager Cécile Kasoki explains the innovative approach: “We provided SIM cards and mobile phones to people in need. This makes the assistance discreet and gives families tools to manage their lives.” Poppy Anguandia, Tearfund’s DRC Country Director, emphasises the importance of choice. “Families can use the money to start businesses, pay for healthcare, or send their children to school.”
Georgette plans to buy potato seeds to restart farming. “Our land has been unused. This money helps us improve our living conditions.”

Protecting the future: children first 
Children have borne the brunt of the conflict. Many were traumatised, displaced, or even recruited into armed groups. The consortium’s child protection efforts have created safe spaces for healing and growth. Rosette Mangaza from War Child DRC shares stories of transformation. “We’ve seen children reintegrated into the community. Their behaviour has improved thanks to games and educational activities.” Ndibungo Nzababera, a returnee in Kibumba, sees the change firsthand. “They come home happy. They’re no longer afraid. They’re calmer and truly have fun.” Psychologist Deocard Kibanvunya adds, “Today, there is real change.”

Survival and strength in Goma 
Wema Kahindo fled Kirotshe with her children, first to a camp, then to Goma. “Life in the camp was hard. We sold firewood to eat. When bombs fell, we fled again. I didn’t even have a jerrycan to fetch water.” The kit she received included cooking pots, cups, jerrycans, and clothing. “It helped us a lot. I can now provide for my children and keep them healthy.” Tearfund’s daily water supply has given her time to care for her household. “I don’t have to walk three hours every day. I can clean and take care of my children.”

Returning home, facing new challenges 
In Kaduki, CARE International and local partner Kujitegemea in Action (KUA) help returnees rebuild. But many, like Albert Mwamba, returned to nothing. “I’m disabled and can’t work in the fields. My wife had no means to start a business.” Food assistance was the first step. “I received flour, beans, oil, and salt. I was very grateful.”
Espérance Shabani, another displaced mother, fled multiple times with her seven children. “I had nothing to eat. I’m disabled and couldn’t travel. When I heard Tearfund supports people like me, I felt relief.” The Anglican Church of Congo distributed cash assistance to 1,250 households. Emergency officer Ragi Ighor says, “Every day, we meet people deeply grateful for the support.”

Looking Ahead 
Despite the progress, challenges remain. “The threat of cholera is still present,” says Poppy Anguandia. “People want to return to their fields but lack the means. Insecurity persists.”
Yet the spirit of collaboration and resilience shines through. “We’ll continue working together with local partners and alongside communities to meet these needs. A big thank you to the Dutch Relief Alliance and everyone on the ground.”

From February 7 to August 6, 2025, CARE, Help a Child, Stichting Vluchteling, Tearfund, War Child and World Vision provided relief including Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene services, healthcare, food security, multi-purpose cash assistance and protection to people in the Health Zones of Goma, Kiroshe, Nyirangongo and Karisimbi which are located around Goma (North Kivu).