Help Children in the DRC
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the worst countries in which to be a child.
Despite the country's wealth of natural resources, including the world’s second-largest rainforest, the Democratic Republic of Congo is among the five poorest nations in the world. In 2021, nearly 64 % of Congolese, just under 60 million people, lived on less than $2.15 a day.
Today, the number of people in the DRC facing extreme hunger are among the highest in the world. Malnutrition is the underlying cause of almost half of the deaths of children under the age of five. With below-average rainfalls and recent surges in conflict and displacement in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, the severity of the food crisis over the next few months will only get worse.
Save the Children is working across the country to respond to the various threats that children face: conflict, epidemics, food insecurity and natural disasters. With the support of our donors, we've been supporting farming families who have been uprooted from their homes to gain access to farmlands. Our teams are also providing health services to young children and pregnant mothers, as well as working to protect children from the various threats of armed conflict and violence. Your donation makes this life-saving work possible.
The Challenges for Children in the DRC
With high rates of poverty, little access to healthcare or education, and increasing violence, children in the Democratic Republic of Congo need your help.*
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42% of children under five experience stunting due to malnutrition
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86% of 10-year-olds are learning in poverty and cannot read
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Less than 17% of women have completed secondary school
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Close to 23 million children missed out on routine vaccinations due to COVID-19
How You’re Changing Children’s Lives
12-year old Provy* was just two year's old when she and her pregnant mother were forced from their home in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Today, she lives in the Kyangwali refugee settlement in Uganda and attends a Save the Children-supported school. She enjoys singing and dancing with new friends. She dreams of becoming a nurse when she grows up.
Working on behalf of children in the DRC since 1994, today Save the Children works in five regions throughout the troubled country. Partnering with local communities and other stakeholders at all levels, Save the Children’s staff help children in the Democratic Republic of Congo by getting children back to school, providing them with healthcare and nutrition support, and protecting them from exploitation and abuse.
We have increased access to quality basic education for thousands of children in elementary schools across the country, training teachers, distributing learning materials, constructing classrooms and establishing children's clubs that encourage children to stay in school.
We’ve reached thousands of vulnerable children by training local leaders and communities to prevent and respond to exploitation, abuse, violence and neglect, providing medical, emotional and social support to hundreds of separated and unaccompanied children, and identifying and supporting survivors of sexual violence.
As a lifeline sponsor through Save the Children, you provide crucial support to your sponsorship community and will receive information about children like Provy who benefit from your ongoing commitment.
How to Help Children in the DRC
Children should be protected in times of crisis and conflict. That's why Save the Children is helping children in the U.S. and around the world prepare for and recover from disasters. As severe weather, crippling poverty and war continue to impact children, your support today can help save lives. Donate to the Children's Emergency Fund today.
Sources: * Unless otherwise noted, facts and statistics have been sourced from Save the Children’s monitoring and evaluation experts. Other sources as follows: Population: CIA World Factbook; The World Bank
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