Democratic Republic of Congo

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CARE's work in the DRC

Prior to 1998, we worked in the DRC to support Rwandan refugees who had fled there from their own country. In 2002, we returned to the DRC to help people affected by the country's own long-standing conflict.

Today our nationwide programme includes emergency relief, reconstruction and development projects, and programmes to prevent sexual and gender-based violence and support survivors. We work with poor and vulnerable women, adolescent girls and boys, and displaced and returning populations to tackle poverty and reduce their vulnerability to social injustice.

Supporting survivors of gender-based and sexual violence

In our humanitarian work, CARE places a special focus on women and girls and supports them to rebuild their livelihoods, reclaim their rights and remain healthy. To support survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, CARE uses an integrated approach, providing survivors with medical care and psychosocial counselling, as well as opportunities to start to earn an income through participation in village savings and loan associations. This helps women to begin to rebuild their lives and also reduces the stigma and social exclusion attached to sexual violence.