FOCUS

MDGs ADDRESSED
MDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
MDG 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
MDG 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
MDG 8: Create a global partnership for development

OVERVIEW
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) has endured three decades of corruption and civil war that have resulted in an immense humanitarian crisis. Hospitals and basic infrastructure were destroyed, and as a result, disease is rampant. Over one thousand people die every day—the vast majority from preventable and treatable illnesses, hunger, and violence.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has one of the highest child mortality rates in the world. Malaria is the most critical public health issue—it is the number one killer of children under five. Over one million people are living with HIV/AIDS, and 60% of those are women who were and continue to be vulnerable to sexual violence due to the ongoing conflict.

Our PARTNER
Episcopal Relief and Development is partnering with two dioceses in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Diocese of Katanga covers the southern and eastern areas of the country and serves nine million residents. The Katanga province has been considered a “complex humanitarian emergency” for several years due to persistent violence, food shortages, outbreaks of disease, and huge numbers of displaced people. In the wake of these persistent needs, the diocese has embraced the challenge of providing not only spiritual support, but also essential social services.

Episcopal Relief and Development is also partnering with the Diocese of Boga, located in the northeast part of the country. Boga was once a prosperous coffee-growing region, but the years of civil war have decimated the farming communities and local economy.

Our CURRENT PROGRAMS
Episcopal Relief and Development is meeting the needs for health care and an improved food supply in some of the most remote and impoverished communities of Katanaga province including Lubumbashi, Likasi, Kaniama, Kasaji, Kalemie, and Shimpauka. New programs are underway in Likasi, Bunkeya, Kipushi and Mokambo, and in several communities the Diocese of Boga, including Kasenyi, Bunia, Boga, Bukiringi, and Bwakadi.

Episcopal Relief and Development is protecting the most vulnerable—pregnant women and young children—from contracting malaria, an easily preventable disease. The partnership with the diocese is strengthening the ability of communities to teach HIV/AIDS prevention and provide compassionate care and support for people affected by the disease. Episcopal Relief and Development is also providing agricultural training and access to micro-finance opportunities to help families increase their food production and income.

Promoting Health and Fighting Disease
Episcopal Relief and Development is teaching and equipping individuals to prevent malaria and HIV/AIDS in their communities, and reaching out to those suffering from AIDS and their families.

• Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, along with training in the proper use of nets, ensure that the most vulnerable are protected from the Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit malaria.
• Trained malaria “agents” and volunteers instruct community members in malaria prevention and treatment methods.
• HIV/AIDS awareness workshops train clergy and community leaders to teach prevention methods in their communities and provide counseling to those affected by AIDS.
• Home-based care for people living with HIV/AIDS and support for children orphaned by the disease improves the quality of life of those suffering and the children left behind.

Alleviating Hunger
Episcopal Relief and Development is helping families—especially women-headed households— improve the production and quality of food sources. Programs are operating in the Diocese of Katanga and the Diocese of Boga.

• Technical training in advanced farming methods, crop diversification, crop cultivation and water management ensure more productive and nutritious crops.
• Agricultural programs provide opportunities for women to grow new crops in the Diocese of Boga: ground nuts are grown in Bukiringi, corn in Boga, and palm oil trees in Bwakadi.

Creating Economic Opportunities
Episcopal Relief and Development is using a micro-finance strategy to assist women in achieving economic stability for their families. Women receive loans and training to finance new agricultural businesses and sell their produce. Programs are being implemented in the Diocese of Katanga and the Diocese of Boga.

• Women’s cooperative associations offer micro-finance programs to expand farming businesses and earn additional income.

Our PAST ACHIEVEMENTS
Episcopal Relief and Development has been working in the Democratic Republic of Congo for several years, improving the lives of thousands of people through the following projects:

• The NetsforLife^SM malaria prevention partnership in the Democratic Republic of Congo distributed 27,817 long-lasting insecticide-treated nets. A total of 93,000 people were sensitized about malaria prevention, and 716 individuals were trained as malaria agents. This brings the total number of people protected to over 120,000.
• Establishing a clinic in an area of Katanga where there were no medical facilities. The clinic provides health care and education to prevent diseases such as malaria, distributes insecticide-treated nets, and supplies effective drug therapy. The program trains community health workers to teach community members about prevention techniques.
• Supporting the Diocese of Katanga’s conflict resolution efforts. In March 2006, the diocese held a conflict resolution workshop which was attended by chiefs from conflicting tribes and ecumenical community leaders and was covered extensively by local media. Topics included conflict transformation, ethnicity, non-violence, forms of resolving conflict, and the process of reconciliation.