Taking part in efforts to bring sustainable stabilization, reintegration and development to the DRC

ACTED began its projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2003. After years of state failure, corruption and destruction due to the armed conflicts, the country is in great need of rebuilding.

Due in part to the country’s size, the needs and types of intervention vary across the regions of the DRC. In contrast to the eastern part of the country, other regions, such as Katanga, have remained stable in terms of security. Provinces in western and central DRC have been much less exposed to conflict, but remain nevertheless very poor. Humanitarian needs thus vary significantly from region to region, with some communities remaining in a state of emergency, while others are ready for developmental support.

ACTED’s main sectors of intervention in South Kivu, Katanga and more recently Equateur are:

-       infrastructure rehabilitation (roads, schools and health centres);

-       water and sanitation;

-       food security;

-       and economic development (through income generating activities, micro projects and microfinance).

Our strategy is to reinforce both food security and economic development, and transition from emergency intervention to a development focus. Because of the large size of the country, ACTED quickly expanded its activities and cooperates a lot with local NGOs (with Kinshasa as donors liaison office). In 2009, DRC became the second country of intervention for ACTED.

Strengthening local capacities

Over the past year, ACTED has worked to increase cooperation with local non-governmental organizations. Local NGOs are already deeply involved and integrated in their communities, and such cooperation has proven particularly helpful and effective with certain program components such as community awareness campaigns, raising awareness about HIV/AIDs and components relating to the environment. Working hand in hand with ACTED teams also enables local NGOs to benefit from the external framework of support and further build their capacities and expertise.