DR Congo
Meet Edisa (19)
There are currently around 45,000 Burundians living as refugees in neighbouring DR Congo - Edisa is one of them. With the support of our vocational training programme, she is finding her place - both at home and in her community.
"Now that I have a job, I feel more valued. My husband asks for my opinion."
What we do
War Child has been active in DR Congo since 2003. We work primarily in South Kivu province in eastern DRC - in the territories of Fizi and Kalehe.
Together with our international and local partners we work to improve the future prospects of children and youth from refugee and displaced populations as well as those from host communities.
Through vocational and life skills training, young people are equipped with the tools to both attract employment and handle life's challenges. We also set up youth groups where key issues in the community - such as the exploitation of natural resources and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) - are brought to the table.
Our projects
Curious to learn more about a specific project? Click on the pins in the map below.
Where we work
35,567
CHILD PARTICIPANTS
10,102
ADULT PARTICIPANTS
16
PARTNERS
10
WAR CHILD PROJECTS
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Addressing the Root Causes of Conflict (ARC)
Minova, Kalehe Territory, South Kivu
Working to strengthen local governance, prevent and resolve conflicts and provide youth with technical and entrepreneurial skills to enter the job market. Implemented in partnership with local NGO TPO and funded by the Dutch government. -
DR Congo Joint Response 4
Kalehe & Fizi Territories, South Kivu
Responding to the urgent needs and protection risks of conflict-affected communities in eastern DR Congo. A multi-sectoral project implemented by War Child in collaboration with 13 other NGOs. Read more
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Shielding children from the cycle of violence
Haut Plateaux, South Kivu
Extending a safety net around displaced and marginalised children living with the effects of recurrent violence across the South Kivu Highlands. Funded by the UN OCHA Pooled Fund.
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Fast Aid for children affected by community conflicts
Bunyakiri Health Zone, Kalehe Territory, South Kivu
An emergency support intervention initiated in response to a surge in internal conflict across northern South Kivu. Combines child protection, psychosocial support and education activities.
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Burundian Refugees Support
Uvira & Fizi Territories, South Kivu
Working with community-based child protection structures including schools and health centres to mitigate the risks facing thousands of young Burundian refugees living in camps and transit centres along the Ruzizi River and near Lake Tanganyika. Implemented in partnership with UNHCR.
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Youth at Work
South Mbinga, Kalehe Territory, South Kivu
A vocational and entrepreneurship training program designed to equip some 120 youth with the tools and skills to set up their own micro-enterprise. Implemented with funding from the Dutch Turing Foundation.
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A fresh start for survivors of abuse
Kalehe Territory, South Kivu
Supporting children formerly associated with armed groups and SGBV survivors to reintegrate and play a positive role in society - contributing to peacebuilding and security in the area. Implemented in partnership with local NGO APES and UNICEF.
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Youth Empowerment, Youth Engagement (YEYE)
Baraka, Fizi Territory
Facilitating youth to engage in constructive civil circles and create platforms - via radio and more - where they can have a say on the issues that directly affect their lives. Implemented by War Child with funding from ASN Bank.
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COVID-19 Emergency Response
Fizi Territory, South Kivu
A Fast Aid response dedicated to preventing the spread of COVID-19 among 12,000 children and their communities in rural Fizi - a territory where the presence of armed groups continues to impinge on every aspect of life.
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Education in Emergencies
Bunyakiri Health Zone, Kalehe Territory, South Kivu
An ECHO funded project which sees parents and caregivers, community leaders, service providers and other local influencers come together to protect children and set-up new education pathways.
Latest news from DR Congo
Our partners in DR Congo
UNICEF
The United Nations agency provides vital funding for our emergency and development initiatives in Kalehe territory and beyond - including a renewed child protection project with local partner APES.
Go to website
TPO DRC
Our first local implementing partner in DR Congo, TPO continues to lend their expertise to the delivery of vocational training for youth, working closely with an established network of village savings and loan associations.
Go to websiteFor an overview of all our partners in DR Congo and beyond go here.
Contact
Leen Noltes is our Country Director in DR Congo.
For more information or a specific question, you can reach out to him below.
War Child DR Congo
80, Avenue de Gouverneur, Ibanda
Bukavu, South Kivu
