Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Protracted Crisis Joint Response 2024 – 2026

The humanitarian needs in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are huge. Both North and South Kivu are characterised by the presence of multiple armed groups since years. The presence of armed groups leads to armed clashes between these groups and the government army. This leads to growing insecurity, mass displacement, loss of livelihoods, violation of children’s rights and a surge in sexual violence cases. The places where displaced people settle lack essential services such as protection, education, clean water, healthcare and food.
The protection needs are massive. Especially displaced children are exposed to rape, early marriage, physical and emotional abuse, economic exploitation (including in mineral mines) and recruitment into armed groups. This leads to mental health issues, psychological stress and school dropouts.
Schools are often used as shelters for displaced people, disrupting the access to education. Moreover, schools lack proper (WASH) infrastructure, have overcrowded classrooms, lack sufficient materials and teacher lack capacity from a pedagogical and psychological point of view.
The provinces are also prone to natural disasters, with an active volcano present, and lakes that frequently overflow. Torrential rains have led to landslides in the past, killing thousands of people and making areas inaccessible. The lack of proper WASH infrastructure leads to the use of unsafe drinking water which in its turn leads to water borne disease outbreaks, such as cholera.
Moreover people lack sufficient food intake. In North Kivu, about 70% of the people face acute food insecurity. This is characterised by lack of seeds and farming tools, harvest losses and insufficient income.

The Joint Response
The design of the Joint Response is informed by joint needs assessment, to identify the areas with the most urgent needs. Based on the needs assessment, 4 areas were identifies. Beneficiaries in each implementation area (so called Health Zones), receive support in at least 3 sectors, making it multi-sector assistance.

The activities carried out under this Joint Response are the following:

• Food security and livelihoods: A total of 25.024 people will be targeted for FSL. Households will receive livelihoods assets such as seeds, agricultural tools, farmers training and animals. 800 households will receive emergency food assistance and 1000 households will receive cash for food.
• Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: A total of 243.518 people will benefit from WASH activities. This includes rehabilitation and construction of water sources and wells. Dignity kits with soap will be distributed both to communities, as well as schools and health care facilities. Proper latrines and showers will be built in health care facilities and schools. Hygiene committees will be formed to raise awareness on proper hygiene.
• Education: 26.400 children will benefit from activities in schools, including remedial and catch-up classes for children that have dropped out of school. Educational and recreational kits will be distributed. Children and teachers will be trained on the need for protection, which will include the set up of protection committees in schools. 3624 teachers will benefit from training on various subject, including psychological support and quality education.
• Protection: 155.667 people will benefit from protection activities, including 510 unaccompanied children, and 840 survivors of gender based violence. Health care providers, local authorities, religious- and community leaders, community agents and psychological assistants will be trained on various topics, such as management of Gender Based Violence (GBV) cases, GBV prevention, positive masculinity and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
• Multi-purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA): 2100 Households will receive cash to meet their basic needs, benefiting at total of 12.600 people.

The Joint Response is planning to reach 412.530 people during this response.