Reproductive Health - DRC
The protracted political conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has put the country on the IRC’s Emergency Watchlist for 10 consecutive years. As armed groups continue exploiting land, the widespread lack of clean water and sanitation services—which fuels the outbreak of widespread disease—exposes vulnerable and displaced populations, those with little to no access to proper healthcare, to serious health complications.
In collaboration with the European Union (EU), the IRC initiated a project for an emergency humanitarian response to support host communities and unprotected populations in the South-Kivu province of the DRC.
The project focused on providing a range of integrated medical, psychosocial, and socio-economic services in order to improve not only the security and safety of survivors of gender-based violence, but also to make them more resilient.
Neema in the consultation room conducting medical examinations for a survivor of sexual violence.
Photo: Heri Trésor for the IRC
Building local resilience
Neema is a thirty-two-year-old midwife living in the affected yet isolated district of Numbi, in South Kivu. With fifteen years of experience in the field of reproductive healthcare, Neema is an essential staff member at the local Numbi Health Centre, which provides vital medical and psychological support to victims of sexual violence in the area. She does prenatal check-ups and refers patients to psychosocial support services (APS) when they are in need of counselling.
Neema explains how many women arrive at the centre already in labour, often traumatised because their pregnancies were the result of rape: “When a woman who conceived through rape comes here to give birth, there are many challenges because she was not prepared for it. She has no baby clothes, no blankets to keep the baby warm, no food, and no one to support her through the pregnancy.”
An IRC officer offers support to a patient at the Numbi Health Centre in South Kivu, DRC.
Photo: Heri Trésor for the IRC
These situations pose challenges for the healthcare providers at the centre who do not have the amenities to offer follow-up support for the newborns.
“I lack the means to help her,” Neema says, “This also traumatises me. We are limited. Once they leave the health centre, they continue facing daily struggles without any follow-up.”
The IRC’s EU-funded project strengthened community capacity by organising training sessions on intervention for victims of gender-based violence, psychological care, and family planning for the staff at the Numbi Health Centre. “It has helped us a lot,” Neema says, “Now when we have a case, we have the skills to provide appropriate care at our level.”
To support the centre, additional facilities were also built to help equip them provide better healthcare services. This included an ante-natal consultation shelter, a building for reception and directing different medical cases, as well as a proper waste disposal facility.
The bridge is in disrepair, which potential patients wishing to reach the Numbi Health Centre must cross.
Photo: Heri Trésor for the IRC
“Here at Numbi Health Centre, through IRC, we have seen a new image emerging,” says Neema. She has strong faith in rehabilitating women who have survived sexual violence: “Through our guidance, they can attempt to return to a normal life once again.”
There is still work to be done, as the centre is hindered by poor infrastructure, such as a lack of electricity. Access remains difficult since patients must cross a poorly constructed bridge over the river to reach the centre.
Women at the IRC-led Community-Based Organisation beginning their basket weaving session for the day.
Photo: Heri Trésor for the IRC
Finding and offering support through community
Nadine* is a survivor of sexual violence who lives in South Kivu. Her life had taken a dark turn when one day, returning from the fields, she was assaulted by two armed men.
Completely shaken by the trauma of this experience, she chose to remain silent for fear of judgment and shame. Even her husband never knew what she was going through. After finally confiding in her friend, she learned about the IRC-led Community-Based Organisation (CBO) in her area where she received the support she needed to regain emotional and psychological stability in the aftermath of her trauma.
Nadine* addresses her community for a psych-social support session.
Photo: Heri Trésor for the IRC
“They spoke to me with an open heart and took care of me,” Nadine* explains. “After taking medication and speaking with them, I felt more mentally stable. After I shared my story with them, they comforted me by saying I was not alone in this ordeal.”
Today, Nadine* is herself a member of the Community-Based Organisation, where she extends support to other women by sharing her own experience in an attempt to restore hope. Being a member at the organisation also helps her in many ways—what she gives to the community, she gets back: “Making baskets helps me a lot. Because with the other women at the CBO, we weave baskets while sharing things with each other. This work can help us survive and grow. When I’m here with the others, I forget all the problems at home.”
Nadine selling potatoes to a customer.
Photo: Heri Trésor for the IRC
“I am confident that I will move forward.” - Nadine, IRC client
Prior to discovering the organisation, Nadine* did small jobs, like carrying sand and stones, in order to provide for her child. However, now, after receiving a small fund and attending entrepreneurial training sessions, both organised by the IRC, she began a business selling sweet potatoes, which allowed her to stand on her own two feet.
“I am confident that I will move forward,” Nadine says. “I will see my income grow, and my children will be able to go to school.”
After facing her fears, she is no longer the same woman. She looks toward a bright future with her thriving business and her growing community of supportive women.
About our work with the European Union in the DRC
The International Rescue Committee has partnered with the European Union to provide critical, life-saving support and humanitarian aid to the Congolese population affected by the protracted conflict since 1996. Funding by the EU, the IRC provides essential health services, including primary healthcare, sexual and reproductive health, infection prevention and control, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene services. By training health workers, rehabilitating hospitals and clinics, providing safe spaces and support to survivors of violence, bolstering community capacity to promote social cohesion, as well as facilitating economic recovery to local populations, the IRC enables people to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. Find out more about the risks faced by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2026 and how you can help here.
*Name has been changed for privacy reasons.
About our work with the European Union
The International Rescue Committee partners with the European Union to provide life-saving support to people caught in conflict and disasters around the world. Our work funded by the EU enables people to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.
