DRC | Hope for a boy born without hands or feet
When Humanity & Inclusion first met Patrick, the boy was crawling around the rough black volcanic rock of Mugunga 3, a camp for people displaced by the rebel conflict in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. The front of his white shirt and yellow shorts were smeared with black dust. Due to a congenital malformation, Patrick was born without hands or legs and so he crawled or scooted around as best he can. Patrick lives in a tent with mother and sister; his father abandoned the family when he was born.
Read more
Democratic Republic of the Congo
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Humanity & Inclusion continues to run programs under the operating name "Handicap International."
Humanity & Inclusion in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Our team has been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 1995, promoting access to services and education, supporting people with disabilities and providing support to people affected by humanitarian crises and conflict.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, access to quality health care is problematic. The second-largest country in Africa, DRC is resource-rich, but there is a high level of inequality, and the social and economic situation remains concerning across most of the country.
For more than 15 years, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been destabilized by an alarming humanitarian crisis. In 2020, 25.6 million were affected, including 15 million children. This crisis is the result of a decades-long unstable local and regional security situation, mainly affecting the country’s eastern provinces. Over the years, multiple armed conflicts and violence have left the population at risk. This has severely disrupted the transport of humanitarian aid.
The DRC is also regularly affected by epidemics, increased exposure to natural disasters and widespread poverty and insecurity. The Covid-19 crisis further undermined the health system. There have also been large population movements both within the country and towards neighboring countries.
Areas of Intervention
- Logistics services
- Inclusive Humanitarian Action
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
- Physical and Functional Rehabilitation
- Food Assistance
- Economic Inclusion
- Maternal and Newborn Child Health
- Inclusive Education
- Inclusive Governance
- Safe and Inclusive Mobility
Humanity & Inclusion's 113-member team supports the inclusion of people with disabilities in society and the school enrollment of children with disabilities across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Our team also promotes the involvement of several Congolese disability rights organizations in community life. The organization works to improve rehabilitation services by identifying and care-managing people with disabilities according to their individual needs. Our staff is highly active in improving mother and child healthcare, psychological support and road safety measures.
In North Kivu, Humanity & Inclusion provides support to the communities impacted by the chronic humanitarian crisis. We coordinate a logistics platform to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the most remote areas, in collaboration with other national and international organizations and the United Nations. In Kasai, staff is improving food security for the affected populations.
Our Past Work
Humanity & Inclusion has been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 1995, fostering a culture of dignity, access, and inclusion. Over time, we have evolved our work to meet the dynamic needs of the communities where we serve.
Read on to learn more about our past work in DRC, and consider investing in our future.
Mine Clearance
The organization clears mines and explosive remnants of war to secure the land and improve the living conditions of communities living in conflict-affected areas.