Christian Aid has worked with church-based and secular partner organisations in the DRC since the 1980s to respond to the needs of local communities. Today we support 40 partners in the following areas.

We work with farmers to find ways to increase food production and defend their rights.We support rural communities to protect and manage natural resources, such as water, forests and the soil, that are essential to their survival. Our partners also provide micro-credit loans and training to poor young people and other vulnerable groups living in DRC’s cities.

We promote better governance and support people living in poverty to get their voices heard at local, national and international level.We believe this is essential so public resources are managed in the interests of the Congolese people, and everyone can know and defend their rights and responsibilities as citizens.

We work with communities in the fight against HIV/AIDS and to overcome the massive stigma faced by people infected with or affected by HIV. Some partners have networks of volunteer carers who also provide daily care and counselling in clinics, homes and communities.

We are currently working with four local partners to reach the thousands who have fled the fighting, as well as families who have opened their homes to displaced families. Our partners provide emergency personal supplies, clean water and sanitation, credit loans to help people get back to work, trauma and HIV/AIDS counselling, and reunite children and parents who lost each other in the chaos. Away from the news cameras, together with our partners we will continue to help those most in need.

Christian Aid has been speaking out to press the UK government, European Union and others to use their influence to help consolidate peace and better governance in the DRC and neighbouring countries.