Africa

Democratic Republic of Congo

Food security
Health
Mental health & psychosocial support
Nutrition
Protection
Water, sanitation & hygiene

2001

mission start date

285

national staff

expatriate staff

393 700

people supported

2001

mission start date

285

national staff

expatriate staff

393 700

people supported

Context

Internally displaced people (IDP) camp near Goma ©Première Urgence Internationale / Hugh Kinsella Cunningham

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing one of the world’s worst crises, exacerbated by conflict in the east of the country, extreme climatic events and recurring epidemics. The situation is worsening as the violence escalates, forcing thousands of people to flee repeatedly. The escalation of the armed conflict since 2023 has further deteriorated the already precarious conditions of the last three decades, with multiple violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, including gender-based violence. Added to this is difficult access to basic services, particularly healthcare, worsening malnutrition and food insecurity. By 2024, it is estimated that over 25 million people will be in need of humanitarian assistance, including 5.7 million displaced persons, concentrated mainly in the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri.

Our approach
Description of the mission

Première Urgence Internationale has been operating in the DRC since 2001. In the city of Kinshasa, our teams are involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. In the east, we intervene as an emergency player in health, nutrition and protection, in addition to food security in areas offering a semblance of stability. With our seven operational bases, we provide both static support to health structures in North Kivu, Ituri and South Kivu, and deploy mobile responses to absorb shocks linked to repeated population displacements. Première Urgence Internationale is also responding to the particularly alarming protection situation in the east of the country, by setting up an individual and community-based response in areas where it was already present as a health and nutrition player. We continue to provide mobile and static support to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people affected by crisis and conflict in the DRC.

Première Urgence Internationale
in action

In Kinshasa, the teams support national programs to combat HIV/AIDS and other STIs for the most vulnerable and exposed populations in the Ngaba health zone. They are also helping to improve environmental health and hygiene for the most vulnerable populations exposed to the effects of climate change.

In North and South Kivu, activities focus on emergency response to ensure access to quality primary healthcare, including nutritional and mental health care, for populations affected by crisis and conflict.

In Ituri, teams provide primary healthcare and nutritional support for vulnerable populations affected by conflict in the Aungba health zone, Mahagi territory.

Eugide Lale Mbunda

DRC Head of Mission © Première Urgence Internationale

“Since 2001, our teams have been constantly adapting to changing circumstances. As the crisis escalates, access constraints make humanitarian assistance difficult. We hope that our actions will bring a smile to the faces of the most vulnerable populations.”